French voters head to polls for legislative elections

French voters have begun voting in the first round of legislative elections, which will determine the make-up of the National Assembly and the balance of power in French politics.

The elections are being held over two rounds, with the second round taking place on June 19. A total of 577 seats are up for grabs in the National Assembly, which is the lower house of the French parliament.

The main contenders in the elections are President Emmanuel Macron's centrist La République En Marche! (LREM) party and the left-wing Nupes coalition, which is led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

The outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on Macron's ability to implement his agenda. If LREM wins a majority of seats in the National Assembly, Macron will have a free hand to pursue his policies. However, if Nupes wins a majority, Macron will be forced to negotiate with the left-wing coalition in order to pass legislation.

The elections are also being closely watched by other European countries, as they could have implications for the future of the European Union. If Nupes wins, it could lead to a more eurosceptic French government, which could have a negative impact on the EU's cohesion.