French people gathered at Republic Square to call for voters to cast their ballots. Photo: France Bleu

The preliminary results showed just over 180 seats for the New Popular Front, ahead of Macron’s alliance, with more than 160 seats. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and its allies secured more than 140 seats.

Shortly after the results were announced, Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of the far-left party La France Insoumise (Indomitable France, LFI), a main party in the left-wing alliance NFP, and also a  potential prime minister candidate called on President Macron to give power to the left.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal offered his resignation on Monday, while the French President Emmanuel Macron's office says he will 'wait' to make decisions about a new government.  

Political analysts warn that France is facing an unprecedented situation under the Fifth Republic when political division leads to no political party winning a majority in the parliament, which may prolong the process of forming a new government or even paralyze France.