Good morning from Paris, The French far-right Rassemblement national (RN) secured a historic voter share of 34% in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, with the left coalition ‘Front Populaire’ coming second (28.1%) and Macron’s centrist party pushed into third place with 20.3%. For the second round (see how the voting system works here), the left coalition made it clear that a “cordon sanitaire” should be retained with the “democratic front” fighting united against RN candidates. However, the centre-right Républicains did not do the same. Instead, they suggested where centre-right candidates are not present in the second round, voters are free to make their choice. In Macron’s camp, it’s not clear what the stance will be regarding candidates from far-left La France insoumise (LFI), which is part of the “Front Populaire”. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said centrist candidates that made it to the second round in third place, behind the far right and a ‘Front Populaire’ contender, should drop out of the race at once. He did not say, however, whether this included LFI candidates, talking instead of left wing candidates that can “uphold Republican values”. Some centrist politicians said everything must be done to block RN candidates, while others refuse to vote for LFI candidates. Reporting from Paris, Théo Bourgery-Gonse has the story. Meanwhile, the EU capitals fear Euroscepticism spillover after the French elections. | 
