Rival French parties unite to block far-right Le Pen after historic first-round win

The result was a significant setback for Macron, prompting left and centrist leaders to consider tactical withdrawals.

Opponents of France's far right sought to build a united front to block the path to government of Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) on Monday, after the party made historic gains to win the first round of a parliamentary election.

The RN and its allies won Sunday's round with 33% of the vote, followed by a left-wing bloc with 28% and well ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's broad alliance of centrists, who scored just 22%, official results showed.

While financial markets rallied on relief the RN tally was not greater, it was still a huge setback for Macron, who had called the snap election after his ticket was trounced by the RN in the European Parliament election last month.

"I'm satisfied, because we need change," said RN supporter Jean-Claude Gaillet, 64, in Le Pen's northern stronghold of Henin-Beaumont. "Things have not moved, and they must move."

But others feared the rise of the RN and its nationalist platform would cause growing tensions in French society.

"I don't think people realise what's happening, they are only thinking of the cost of living and short-term things like that," said Yamina Addou outside a supermarket in the nearby town of Oignies, south of Lille. "I find it very sad."

Whether the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic RN can form a government will depend now on how successfully other parties manage to thwart Le Pen by rallying round best-placed rival candidates in hundreds of constituencies across France.

The RN would need at least 289 seats in parliament for a majority. Pollsters calculated the first round had put it on track for anything between 250-300 seats - but that is before tactical withdrawals reshape voter intentions next weekend.

'Attack'

Leaders of both the left-wing New Popular Front and Macron's centrist alliance indicated on Sunday night they would withdraw their own candidates in districts where another candidate was better placed to beat the RN in next Sunday's run-off.