France’s far right takes lead in 1st round of parliamentary elections

France's far right hasn't been this close to power since the Second World War. Democracy has spoken, said Marine Le Pen, who toiled for decades to move her party from the political fringes to now the cusp of power after the first round of parliamentary elections, said. This is young, a grave Lord. Calling a snap election was an immense gamble for President Emmanuel Macron. His centrist party Renaissance was trounced in recent European elections by the far right. But Macron bet voters would balk at the prospect of the assemblyman Nationale actually forming a government in France. From the start, though, polls suggested the RN and its youthful leader Jordan Bardella were out in front. Our desire is to unite French people, Bardella said as his party released a platform heavy on tax cuts and anti immigrant messaging. Parties on France's left mobilized as well, joining forces and holding rallies to try to block the RN from winning a majority. It was Macron's party in the political center that appeared to be getting squeezed out. After the final leaders debate, Macron invoked the specter of what he said would be racism, uninhibited anti-Semitism and a profound betrayal of French values should the RN win the most seats in parliament. Even as the ballots were still being counted though, the maneuvering started for next week's final vote. Was Gabriel Atal, France's current Prime Minister, urging a broad alliance against the Assemblyman Nationale? And Bardella urging supporters to keep the party's momentum going. Across France, there were protests ushering in what may be the start of an unprecedented cohabitation period in French politics involving a Prime Minister and a president on political extremes. Chris Brown, CBC News, London.