Far-right party takes early lead

Macron's centrist coalition could finish distant third in vote, polling agencies say

Demonstrators rally Sunday at Place de la République in Paris after results of the first round of French parliamentary elections were announced. The second round of voting takes place next Sunday.

The far-right National Rally leaped into a strong lead Sunday in France's first round of legislative elections, polling agencies projected, bringing the party closer to being able to form a government in round two and dealing a major slap to centrist President Emmanuel Macron and his risky decision to call the surprise ballot.