France's far-right National Rally projected to win snap election without absolute majority

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron stands in front of voting booths during the European Parliament election, at a polling station in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France, June 9, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - The far-right National Rally was forecast on Monday to win a snap election in France but fall short of an absolute majority in the first opinion poll published after President Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to dissolve parliament.

Following a massive loss for his Renaissance party in Sunday's European Parliament election, Macron announced snap elections for the lower house of parliament, with the first round scheduled for June 30, less than three weeks away, and the run-off on July 7.