France's left-wing coalition thwarts far right in parliamentary run-off vote

• France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition is set to unexpectedly win the most seats in the second round of the country's parliamentary election but fail to clinch an absolute majority, early data showed.
• Far-right Rassemblement National — which won the first round of elections and was widely seen as likely to retain a strong momentum in the runoff vote — was seen in third place, according to an IFOP poll.

France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition unexpectedly thwarted a far-right advance, clinching the largest number of seats but falling short of absolute parliamentary majority in the run-off vote, early data showed.

The New Popular Front — an alliance of five parties ranging from the far-left France Unbowed to the Socialists and the Ecologists — could secure between 180 and 215 seats in the latest electoral round, according to an IFOP estimate for French broadcaster TV 1. Ipsos projected a lead of between 172 to 192 seats for the faction.

French President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble party and its allies were set to gain between 150 and 180 seats, according to IFOP, while far-right Rassemblement National — which won the first round of elections and was widely seen as likely to retain a strong momentum in the runoff vote — seen in third place with 120-150 seats.

None of the parties have accrued the necessary absolute majority of 289 seats to rule alone, suggesting markets could open on Monday to a hung parliament in Europe's third-largest economy, if the Sunday results are confirmed.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Sunday stated his intentions to step down, following the results. "Faithful to the Republican tradition and in accordance with my principles, tomorrow morning I will submit my resignation to the