Marine Le Pen

France is facing complex negotiations to form a government after a left-wing surge in elections on Sunday blocked Marine Le Pen's quest to bring the far right to power

Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party and its allies secured about one-third of France's national vote on Sunday, according to projections by French polling agencies

Political parties including the Socialists, Greens, Communists and hard-left Unbowed France (LFI) will form a 'Popular Front' in a bid to challenge the far-right's National Rally

Although the still-divided political landscape could see economic reforms watered down, S&P Global said

French presidential elections: The 44-year-old president pledged to reunite the country and to respond to the anger of voters who supported his rival and leader of National Rally Party Marine Le Pen

Macron won in the second round of the presidential election with 58.55% of the votes, while his rival, far-right presidential candidate, leader of the National Rally party Marine Le Pen got 41.45%

A chorus of European leaders hailed Macron's victory, since France has played a leading role in international efforts to punish Russia with sanctions and is supplying weapons to Ukraine

The two candidates for France's presidential runoff have cast their ballots and basked in adoring crowds outside their polling stations

On Sunday, French voters will choose between incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen in the run-off vote to elect a new leader following a divisive campaign.

Polls also forecast a possibly record-high number of people who will either cast a blank vote or not vote at all

Here's what to expect from them on major issues

A victory in Sunday's runoff vote would make Macron the first French president in 20 years to win a second term

The report was disclosed by French investigative news site Mediapart days before Le Pen faces incumbent Emmanuel Macron in a runoff election Sunday that could determine Europe's future direction

The far-right candidate Marine Le Pen wants to outlaw ritual slaughter if elected next Sunday

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support

Le Pen was backed by the other far-right candidate who was defeated, former TV pundit Eric Zemmour

Macron accused Le Pen of lying to voters about her campaign platform as he sought to rally support two days before the presidential election's first round

The second round of nationwide regional elections in France on Sunday has battered both President Emmanuel Macron's La Republique en Marche and Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party

She proposed that the party be renamed "Le Rassemblement National" or "National Rally", in an attempt to broaden its appeal

Pen faces centrist Emmanuel Macron in the final round on May 7