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France’s far right has made big gains in the first round of parliamentary elections. Initial exit polls suggest Marine Le Pen’s National Party won 34 per cent while French President Macron’s centrist alliance won just over 20 percent.

Marine Le Pen spoke Sunday evening from her stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont (Pas-de-Calais department) following the results of the first round of election. According to an estimate by French polling institute Ipsos Talan, the far-right National Rally party is estimated to win between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly.

The second biggest group is projected to be the leftist New Popular Front, with between 125 and 165 seats, and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble at between 70 and 100 seats. The snap parliamentary election was called by President Macron following his party’s defeat in European elections in June. The second round of voting will take place on July 7.