200 candidates withdraw from French poll to block far-right's win prospect

At least 200 candidates have exited the French election race to block the far-right party from gaining power, aiming to prevent the splitting of anti-right votes, reported news agency AFP. Marine Le Pen's RN emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of Sunday's snap election, surpassing President Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp, which finished in third place behind a left-wing alliance. Macron's decision to call the early election appears to have backfired. The RN's stance against further EU integration and its plans to reduce funding to the EU have raised concerns.