France’s far-right party, the National Rally, has surged ahead in the polls following the first round of voting for the French National Assembly. Early projections indicate that the party is on track to win about 34 percent of the vote, ahead of left-wing parties and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party. The high turnout of 67 percent suggests a significant shift in French politics.
The National Rally’s potential victory could usher in a new majority of lawmakers opposed to Macron, forcing him to appoint a political adversary as prime minister. If no clear majority emerges, France could face months of political turmoil, similar to the situation in the U.S. where nationalist forces threaten to undo international commitments.
In Iran, voters showed dissatisfaction with the clerical rule by participating in record-low numbers in the presidential election. Two candidates, a reformist and an ultraconservative, will face a runoff to determine who will lead the country amidst economic struggles and the risk of conflict in the Middle East.
On the other side of the world, President Biden’s family is pushing him to stay in the race despite concerns about his debate performance. As he contemplates his next steps, there are discussions about defending himself in a news conference or interviews.
In more light-hearted news, Japan is set to launch its first same-sex reality dating series called “The Boyfriend” on Netflix, showcasing same-sex relationships in a natural and realistic manner. Despite Japan’s slow progress in LGBTQ rights, this show aims to depict authentic relationships rather than stereotypical characters often seen on television.
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