At Least 200 Candidates Withdraw From French Election Runoff

The French parliamentary elections are heading into their second round, with at least 200 candidates withdrawing ahead of Sunday's runoff election. The majority of these withdrawals come from the left-wing New Popular Front (over 110) and Macron's camp (over 70). Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist party, views next Sunday as a crucial day for France. As parties have until Tuesday evening to register contenders, it remains unclear how many left- and center-leaning candidates will abandon their bids in an attempt to unify against Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party, which emerged as the clear frontrunner in the first round. Despite this, it is uncertain whether the RN can secure the necessary 289 seats for a majority.