France’s national election delivers surprising result

A rather surprising result in France’s national election. After two rounds of voting over the past two weekends, a new left-wing coalition appears to have come out on top. After triggering this race last month following an embarrassing showing at the EU elections, Emmanuel Macron has seemingly staved off what was believed to be his biggest challenger. Marine Le Pen and her right-wing populist national rally party may have actually fallen to third in the polls, something many didn’t expect going into today with some predictions having them win it all.

• French vote gives leftists most seats over far-right, but leaves hung parliament and deadlock