Polling stations opened in France on Sunday for the first round of historic legislative elections that could bring the far right to power within a week. Voting began at 8:00 AM local time (6:00 AM GMT), following the start of voting in French overseas territories on Saturday. Voter turnout is expected to reach 67% of registered voters.

Polling stations will close at 4:00 PM GMT in smaller towns and cities, and at 6:00 PM GMT in major cities. The first exit polls and projections for the critical second round of elections, scheduled for a week later, will be released after the polls close.

France’s electoral system makes it challenging to predict the exact distribution of seats in the 577-member National Assembly. The final results will not be known until the end of voting on July 7.

Candidates can win in the first round if they secure an absolute majority of votes in their constituency, but this is rare. Most constituencies will require a second round, including all candidates who received at least 12.5% of registered voters' support in the first round. The candidate with the highest number of votes in the second round wins.

For decades, as the far-right gained steady popularity, voters and parties who did not support it would unite against it if it seemed close to gaining power. However, this may not happen this time.

Approximately 49 million voters are called to renew the National Assembly’s 577 deputies in elections, with the second round set for July 7. These elections could dramatically alter the French political landscape.

President Emmanuel Macron called for these early elections, announcing the dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9, shortly after the far-right's victory in the European elections in France, which sent shockwaves through the country.