France go to polls to give Macron working majority or not

Less than two months after re-election, President Macron faces a strong challenge from a united left-wing bloc led by Jean-Luc Melenchon

French voters go to the polls on Sunday in the first of two rounds that will decide whether President Emmanuel Macron gets a working majority in parliament or ends up without the support needed to drive through his reform agenda.

Less than two months after re-election, Mr. Macron faces a strong challenge from a united left-wing bloc that polls show could deprive the president of an outright majority even if it does not take control of parliament.

Government insiders expect a rather poor showing in Sunday's first round for Mr. Macron's coalition "Ensemble", with record numbers of voters seen abstaining. Hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon's bloc hopes to capitalise on anger at the rising cost of living.

"I voted for hope, so not for our current president," said Michel Giboz, 71, after voting for Mr. Melechon's NUPES bloc at the poll station located in the 18th Parisian district's town hall.

"We need to get rid of them (president's party). This is the last hope to stay in a democracy, or what's left of it."

Ivan Warren, who voted for Mr. Macron in the presidential election, said it was important to hand him a majority.

"It's important to me that we have a strong government, which allows us to represent France in the most effective way possible," the 56-year-old computer scientist said.