look, i get frustrations with the past, but think about what a labour government would mean for yourfamily. can you afford to pay thousands of pounds of higher taxes? do you want to pay tax on your pension for the first time? if the answer to those things is no, then vote conservative. a changed labour party back in the service of working people, and that is the change that's on offer tomorrow at this election — an important election all about change, but if you want change, you have to vote for it. tomorrow, we have the chance to win i the change our country desperatelyl needs after so many years - of being let down, taken for granted by this out—of—touch - conservative government. our panel tonight — catherine neilan, uk political editor

at tortoise media, and chris morris, ceo at full fact think tank. first, the latest headlines. as the uk election campaign enters its final hours, rishi sunak has insisted the result is not a foregone conclusion despite one of his own ministers saying that labour looks likely to win the biggest majority in british history. sir keir starmer said the remarks by the work and pensions secretary mel stride were aimed at encouraging people not to vote. the white house has denied a report in the new york times which said joe biden had told a key ally that he was weighing up whether to continue in the presidential race. speculation has been mounting since mr biden�*s faltering performance in a televised debate with donald trump. recent polling suggests nearly three quarters of us voters think mr biden is not fit to be president. israel has announced plans to seize more than three square miles of land in the occupied west bank and open

it up for development. critics say it amounts to the biggest potential expansion ofjewish settlements in more than three decades. hurricane beryl is moving towards jamaica with sustained winds of 230kph. the category four—storm is expected to make landfall the category—four storm is expected to make landfall in the coming hours. in the caribbean, at least seven people are known to have died in the extreme winds and flooding brought by the hurricane. on the last day of general election campaigning before the polls let's return to our top story. on the last day of general election campaigning before the polls open at 7am tomorrow, political leaders have been criss—crossing the country, making their final push for support. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has accused the conservatives of what he called voter suppression. he was speaking after the work and pensions secretary, mel stride, said that the polls suggested labour was heading for the largest majority the country has ever seen. our political editor chris mason has been following the last six

weeks of campaigning. we begin tonight with his report. six weeks ago, it was a bit damp. so, this is it, a general election is on. if you want change, you have to vote for it. here they are, funny old business following the prime minister on the campaign trail. are you changing many minds? look, chris, we are having a conversation here. would you describe yourself as a socialist? look, yes, iwould. fireworks, smiles, promises, questions, and one more day of persuasion. rishi sunak was at a school in romsey in hampshire today. hi, girls, how are you? how is he, i wonder, after hearing a cabinet minister on radio four this morning say this? where the polls are at the moment means tomorrow is likely to see i the largest labour landslide - majority, the largest majority this country has ever seen.

what therefore matters now is - what kind of opposition do we have. and how would his boss mark his homework? what mel was doing was pointing out the dangers of a labour government with an unchecked majority, a blank cheque to do what they want and that means that people's taxes will go up. the labour leader was in east kilbride south of glasgow this afternoon. he was near whitland in carmarthenshire this morning and dismissive of the conservatives' near concession defeat. it is more of the same, it is really voter suppression, it's trying to get people to stay at home rather than go out and vote. i say, if you want change, you have to vote for it. i want people to be part of the change. i know there are close constituencies across the country. i don't take anything for granted. the scottish national party leader john swinney has been toasting a marshmallow next to a big plastic frog in castlemilk in glasgow today, and he had a fluorescent jacket moment, too. the election is well and truly over

and done with south of the border, and the issue for scotland is who is going to protect scotland interests in the next westminster parliament? people know they can rely on the snp to do exactly that. well, my bus to work didn't get this welcome this morning, but sir ed davey�*s did from liberal democract activists in hertfordshire this afternoon. tomorrow we have the chance to win the change in our country desperately needs. yellow bus in, pink car out, zany capers over and out for the lib dems. nigel farage from reform uk has been at a boxing club, and was asked how he thought his party would do. it is very tough to call i what is going to happen. the thing we can't measure, j and the polls can't measure, is the youth vote. all these people online, the millions of them, i who have been very supportive, will they vote? _ i don't know.

the green party of england and wales is hoping it is heading towards gains. the level of support has been phenomenal. i have been stopped by people in the street from people asking for a selfie or a hug. the leader of plaid cymru, which would like to see an independent wales, did a pep talk in a drizzly car park near ammanford. if it wasn't for plaid cymru and those using the platforms we have, there wouldn't have been a mention of wales during this campaign at all and people can see that. and here is a mention of northern ireland as well where a panoply of parties contesting seats in races that feel very different than elsewhere in the uk. so, this is it. it's over to you to sketch out this place will look, feel, sound and decide for the next five years to come. and, ultimately, who will live here. chris mason, bbc news, westminster.

catherine, the it's interesting saying receipt —— it's interesting that rishi sunak saying the fight isn't over. but it's not looking good. isn't over. but it's not looking aood. �* , ., isn't over. but it's not looking iood, �* , ., ., isn't over. but it's not looking aood. v ., . , good. it's not, and if you listen to what mel stride _ good. it's not, and if you listen to what mel stride said _ good. it's not, and if you listen to what mel stride said today, - good. it's not, and if you listen to what mel stride said today, this l what mel stride said today, this idea of it being a labour landslide is not the difference in language to the super majority that we keep hearing from the conservatives. the idea that that was some kind of misspeaking or he wasn't given the party light was somewhat unfair. nevin warning about this for a long time. they feel that this is a strategy that works. we've seen conservatives talking about it as well as the big push that they hope to try and win voters who are many of them still sitting it out. the polls have been quite sticky over this period, and of course even the

months beforehand. the other thing thatis months beforehand. the other thing that is also remain the case is the don't—knows are also very high. that is something both parties are conscious of and will look to encourage a few more people to the polling stations tomorrow. that idea ofthe polling stations tomorrow. that idea of the super — polling stations tomorrow. that idea of the super majority, _ polling stations tomorrow. that idea of the super majority, half _ polling stations tomorrow. that idea of the super majority, half of - polling stations tomorrow. that idea of the super majority, half of it's - of the super majority, half of it's interesting because you look at the majority of borisjohnson and margaret thatcher, they saw that as a victory. we put this for the prime minister yesterday and he said such a majority would be a deflect to democracy. why is this any different?— democracy. why is this any different? �*, ,, ., ., . different? it's less about how much labour wins — different? it's less about how much labour wins and _ different? it's less about how much labour wins and more _ different? it's less about how much labour wins and more how- different? it's less about how much labour wins and more how much i different? it's less about how much | labour wins and more how much the tories lose. we've had a slew of polls that show the tories just over

100, the best case scenario is more in common. the worst case is 102 seats showing it could go even lower than that. i think this is really the reason for all these warnings. it could result in a sort of accidental crisis from which it might never return.— accidental crisis from which it might never return. we'll look at the olls might never return. we'll look at the polls and _ might never return. we'll look at the polls and what _ might never return. we'll look at the polls and what they - might never return. we'll look at the polls and what they tell - might never return. we'll look at the polls and what they tell us i might never return. we'll look at | the polls and what they tell us on the polls and what they tell us on the eve of the election in just a second. chris, i'm interested too in all of this. it's been about claim and counter claim, make yourjob quite interesting. and counter claim, make your 'ob quite interesting.�* and counter claim, make your 'ob quite interesting. every election is like that to — quite interesting. every election is like that to some _ quite interesting. every election is like that to some extent. - quite interesting. every election is like that to some extent. they - quite interesting. every election is i like that to some extent. they hope that they _ like that to some extent. they hope that they would get better as time .oes that they would get better as time goes on _ that they would get better as time goes on as more people old into account — goes on as more people old into account. we spent the first couple of days _ account. we spent the first couple of days losing our full fact ai account. we spent the first couple of days losing our full fact al to monitor— of days losing our full fact al to monitor everything that was the said

by monitor everything that was the said hy1500 _ monitor everything that was the said by 1500 candidates from all parties. we found _ by 1500 candidates from all parties. we found hundreds of times when dodgy— we found hundreds of times when dodgy claims by us and other organisations were repeated. two really— organisations were repeated. two really stand out moments, the conservative claim that labour will tax and _ conservative claim that labour will tax and the — conservative claim that labour will tax and the counterclaim... they are a series_ tax and the counterclaim... they are a series of— tax and the counterclaim... they are a series of assumptions presented as fact. a series of assumptions presented as fact thlet's— a series of assumptions presented as fact. that's misleading. the public know_ fact. that's misleading. the public know is_ fact. that's misleading. the public know is misleading. you talked... catherine — know is misleading. you talked... catherine talked about undecided voters. _ catherine talked about undecided voters, there a lot of them. we have seen _ voters, there a lot of them. we have seen holding — voters, there a lot of them. we have seen holding a little bit earlier. 50% _ seen holding a little bit earlier. 50% said — seen holding a little bit earlier. 50% said they don't trust the way the main — 50% said they don't trust the way the main parties are costing the economic— the main parties are costing the economic policies of their rivals.

it's possible is actually counterproductive. it's possible they would think again about these tactics _ they would think again about these tactics. . ., ., , ., tactics. catherine, what does that tell us about _ tactics. catherine, what does that tell us about the _ tactics. catherine, what does that tell us about the state _ tactics. catherine, what does that tell us about the state of - tactics. catherine, what does that tell us about the state of our - tell us about the state of our politics? the damage gets done very quickly and any correction or clarification often falls on deaf ears. , ., , ears. yes, we least in the conservative _ ears. yes, we least in the conservative reuse - ears. yes, we least in thej conservative reuse tactics ears. yes, we least in the - conservative reuse tactics from 20 2019, where they rebranded their twitter account as fact checked. that was actually cc ho. it didn't have quite the same ring to it, and people are piling in and saying why are you doing this. trust in politics is so important. i think people within the party sort of felt

they were doing was justified. you kind of have seen this repeatedly with sending out sort of letters that purport to be from hmrc or whatever, and then you also have candidates not necessarily putting the party that they represent on their leaflets. i think there is still quite a lot of work to be done around making sure everyone is giving the truth and nothing but the truth when it comes to campaigning. at the end of the day, if you go to a polling booth, you will be putting your ex by a party as much as a candidate —— your x. but there's definitely this ongoing issue around exactly people are to be associated with particularly the conservatives for obvious reasons, given their position.

for obvious reasons, given their osition. , , ., ., ., position. chris, if you have to think a long _ position. chris, if you have to think a long way _ position. chris, if you have to think a long way back, - position. chris, if you have to think a long way back, i - position. chris, if you have to think a long way back, i thinkj position. chris, if you have to l think a long way back, i think is 1992 in the sun newspaper ran the headline. their ability has waned to recall elections and recently years —— in recent. the sun endorsing labourfor their —— in recent. the sun endorsing labour for their victory at you might say at the 11th hour. ilauiith might say at the 11th hour. with robabl might say at the 11th hour. with probably one — might say at the 11th hour. with probably one of _ might say at the 11th hour. with probably one of the most lukewarm endorsement i've ever seen! they didnt— endorsement i've ever seen! they didn't even— endorsement i've ever seen! they didn't even mention the word labour on the _ didn't even mention the word labour on the front— didn't even mention the word labour on the front page. the editorial spoke _ on the front page. the editorial spoke almost with regret. one of the things— spoke almost with regret. one of the things i_ spoke almost with regret. one of the things i think labour need to do if they are _ things i think labour need to do if they are to— things i think labour need to do if they are to win, just back to what catherine — they are to win, just back to what catherine was discussing before the whole _ catherine was discussing before the whole issue of honesty, it's really interesting that this morning, in the main — interesting that this morning, in the main interview shot in the bbc ten past _ the main interview shot in the bbc ten past eight, pat mcfadden was

asked _ ten past eight, pat mcfadden was asked about specific dodgy claims about— asked about specific dodgy claims about honesty in politics. i don't think— about honesty in politics. i don't think his — about honesty in politics. i don't think his answers were great. labour has set _ think his answers were great. labour has set a _ think his answers were great. labour has set a lot— think his answers were great. labour has set a lot turning the page and having _ has set a lot turning the page and having a _ has set a lot turning the page and having a different tone in politics, setting _ having a different tone in politics, setting up — having a different tone in politics, setting up an ethics and integrity commission. it's great they're saying — commission. it's great they're saying that, but they have to go be on the _ saying that, but they have to go be on the slogans to prove that they are to _ on the slogans to prove that they are to take — on the slogans to prove that they are to take power, they really are going _ are to take power, they really are going to — are to take power, they really are going to do — are to take power, they really are going to do things differently. i think— going to do things differently. i think a — going to do things differently. i think a lot of people around the country— think a lot of people around the country are calling for that. they do want — country are calling for that. they do want politicians who are honest and transparent with them. it rdrill and transparent with them. it will be interesting _ and transparent with them. it will be interesting to _ and transparent with them. it will be interesting to see _ and transparent with them. it will be interesting to see how- and transparent with them. it will be interesting to see how that - be interesting to see how that shakes down. we touched on those poles. this is the latest poll tracker on voter intentions. you can see labour now at 39%, conservatives 21% and in third, reform uk at16%. there has been a small narrowing in the polls. polls published this week have tended to show the conservatives gaining a little support whilst labour has fallen back slightly. and, in fact, if we compare the polls now with those

from the beginning of the campaign, both parties have seen their average rating fall, but labour's has dropped a bit more than the conservatives'. ignore that messaging note in the middle there! however, labourstill has a commanding lead of about 18 points on average. someone has 78 new messages they need to read! the polls really get it wrong. i think it'sjohn curtis, the election guru, saying lightning would have to strike twice in the same place for rishi sunak to get back into number ten on friday. it's not going to happen. but there could be a few surprises on the night. there certainly could be. i think probably one thing that has been underplayed is the fact that they are some senior members within the labour shadow cabinet that are fighting very hard to keep their seats. it is not impossible, but

although we see an enormous national swing towards labour, we see a couple of high—profile casualties on their side. that said, yeah, couple of high—profile casualties on theirside. that said, yeah, i couple of high—profile casualties on their side. that said, yeah, iwould never doubt the words ofjohn curtis. i think the outcome has been fairly clear going into this election, certainly. there has been the broadly speaking high teens or low 20s gap between labour and conservatives for many months. the campaign has not particularly seen the change. there's been a bit of up and down, but there is quite a lot of variation within the polling that we've been seeing. partly, that's because there are a lot of variables here at the minute. in 2019, going into the weeds a little bit, but you ended up with a lot of marginal seats because of the way that things were changed from long—held labour seats to conservatives. now we are looking at perhaps the reversal of that, and perhaps even some true

blue tory seats going lib dem or labourfor blue tory seats going lib dem or labour for the blue tory seats going lib dem or labourfor the first time blue tory seats going lib dem or labour for the first time in many years. that might also be marginal. that's why we've heard for example rishi sunak repeating this analysis that 130,000 people could be the ones to actually decide whether labour has a majority and if so, by how big. i think probably most people are expecting mel stride being one of them, quite a large labour majority at the end of the day. labour ma'ority at the end of the da . , ., ,., , ., day. chris, if what the polls are tellin: day. chris, if what the polls are telling us _ day. chris, if what the polls are telling us the _ day. chris, if what the polls are telling us the does _ day. chris, if what the polls are telling us the does play - day. chris, if what the polls are telling us the does play out, i day. chris, if what the polls are l telling us the does play out, we'll get a sense of what a potential new labour government will look like. you talk about their promises and integrity. a lot will be holding them to the promises made on the campaign travel —— campaign trail. people want to see change quite quickly. it’s people want to see change quite ruickl . �* , .

people want to see change quite ruickl. ,,, , people want to see change quite ruickl. , ,., quickly. it's a slightly odd timing because it is _ quickly. it's a slightly odd timing because it is quite _ quickly. it's a slightly odd timing because it is quite late _ quickly. it's a slightly odd timing because it is quite late in - quickly. it's a slightly odd timing because it is quite late in the - because it is quite late in the summon _ because it is quite late in the summer. there's only a few weeks before _ summer. there's only a few weeks before a _ summer. there's only a few weeks before a long summer recess is due to start _ before a long summer recess is due to start i_ before a long summer recess is due to start. i tell you what, there are two people — to start. i tell you what, there are two people who will be more tired than anyone else. some of the candidates will need a break, so there's— candidates will need a break, so there's going to be a phonetic period — there's going to be a phonetic period of— there's going to be a phonetic period of a few weeks injuly there's going to be a phonetic period of a few weeks in july and there's going to be a phonetic period of a few weeks injuly and a bit of— period of a few weeks injuly and a bit of a _ period of a few weeks injuly and a bit of a break in august. i think things— bit of a break in august. i think things kick— bit of a break in august. i think things kick off with what they assume — things kick off with what they assume will be a new budget. but the size of— assume will be a new budget. but the size of majority — and i'm going to pick you _ size of majority — and i'm going to pick you up. — size of majority — and i'm going to pick you up, because it has no meaning _ pick you up, because it has no meaning. in the united states, a very specific meaning. you need a majority_ very specific meaning. you need a majority to— very specific meaning. you need a majority to change the constitution. the something you can do in the uk

with this _ the something you can do in the uk with this majority. as long as you keep— with this majority. as long as you keep your— with this majority. as long as you keep your backbenchers well in line. there's_ keep your backbenchers well in line. there's an _ keep your backbenchers well in line. there's an argument for saying the bigger— there's an argument for saying the bigger the — there's an argument for saying the bigger the majority, the more disaffected backbenchers you will have who will get nowhere near government positions. what's the first thrill— government positions. what's the first thrill has worn off, it will become, _ first thrill has worn off, it will become, if you like, a source of opposition— become, if you like, a source of opposition financially. you become, if you like, a source of opposition financially.— opposition financially. you are . uite opposition financially. you are quite right _ opposition financially. you are quite right to _ opposition financially. you are quite right to call _ opposition financially. you are quite right to call me - opposition financially. you are quite right to call me out - opposition financially. you are quite right to call me out on i opposition financially. you are . quite right to call me out on that. it has made its way into the dictionary. we will talk some more about the highs and lows later. but around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

this is had quite a lot of memorable moments. the election campaign has had many

memorable moments and thrown up the odd surprise. if you need a reminder, take a look at this. we will have a general election on the 4th ofjuly. it will feel like a long campaign, i'm sure of that. vote liberal democrat! i i'm going to focus on the votersl between now and the 4th ofjuly. it's a really critical moment. i returned home before the international leaders event. on reflection, that was a mistake and i apologise. theyjust want me - excluded from parliament. no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott. i had decided. - i've changed my mind. i am going to stand in this election. - seven political parties,

seven leading figures. scottish national party support is steadily going up. _ 0h, we're going to keep going? ok, so that's interesting. i will fight for you, i will make sure that your voice is heard. if you want to change, you have to vote for it. six weeks condensed into a minute and a half. catherine, was the standout moment for you? was there one?~ standout moment for you? was there one? ~ �* , ., a standout moment for you? was there one? ~ �* , ., , one? well, i've been asked is quite a lot and i— one? well, i've been asked is quite a lot and i think _ one? well, i've been asked is quite a lot and i think my _ one? well, i've been asked is quite a lot and i think my kind of - one? well, i've been asked is quite a lot and i think my kind of short i a lot and i think my kind of short version is i have found it surprising that election campaign where the conclusion has immensely —— seemingly been here for weeks has been so interesting. it has had so many different facets because we can kind of talk about the size of

labour's majority, but what's been going on in between that, we had a series of errors, many of them from the conservatives, but not only as that film showed. we have the situation with diane abbott, which was one of those things that was clearly handled —— could have clearly handled —— could have clearly been handled better. the reform coming in halfway through, really changing everything. the lib dems giving a bit of light with their antics. the two key stories from the campaign, first is the d—day decision to leave the commemorations early, which i think has to go down in history as one of the most foolhardy political decisions and most short—sighted. i think it does still probably warrant someone going back and understanding fully what happens and what conversations were taking place. you

assume that advisers and ministers were saying this cannot happen, and yet it went ahead. and of course, gamble gate which came out of nowhere. it has come out of nowhere and dominated for weeks. people have been interviewed as part of that investigation removed from rishi sunak. they had to drop two candidates and put senior people on a leave of absence. i don't think you can underestimate the seriousness of that. you're right. it's interesting _ seriousness of that. you're right. it's interesting how _ seriousness of that. you're right. it's interesting how it _ seriousness of that. you're right. it's interesting how it has - seriousness of that. you're right. it's interesting how it has the - it's interesting how it has the ability to throughout the surprises. the liberal democrats certainly went to their big stumps. the argument was it has always been about raising awareness. you think that works? well, he got quite a awareness. you think that works? well, he got quite— well, he got quite a bit of me to media colour _ well, he got quite a bit of me to media colour age. _ well, he got quite a bit of me to media colour age. i _ well, he got quite a bit of me to media colour age. i probably -

well, he got quite a bit of me to - media colour age. i probably missed him wrestling a grizzly bear, but it would _ him wrestling a grizzly bear, but it would have — him wrestling a grizzly bear, but it would have been in the montage —— coverage _ would have been in the montage —— coverage. most of the attention is on the _ coverage. most of the attention is on the two — coverage. most of the attention is on the two biggest parties, understandably, they were determined to make _ understandably, they were determined to make a _ understandably, they were determined to make a mark, if you like. one thing _ to make a mark, if you like. one thing i_ to make a mark, if you like. one thing i noticed, every time i looked on tv, _ thing i noticed, every time i looked on tv, keir— thing i noticed, every time i looked on tv, keir starmerappeared thing i noticed, every time i looked on tv, keir starmer appeared to be holding _ on tv, keir starmer appeared to be holding an— on tv, keir starmer appeared to be holding an elected —— an election rally— holding an elected —— an election rally at— holding an elected —— an election rally at yet— holding an elected —— an election rally at yet another football stadium. it appeared to be 's trying to hard _ stadium. it appeared to be 's trying to hard to _ stadium. it appeared to be 's trying to hard to show what a man of the people _ to hard to show what a man of the people he — to hard to show what a man of the people he was. —— trying too hard. you mix— people he was. —— trying too hard. you mix work— people he was. —— trying too hard. you mix work with pleasure, that's how it works, isn't it?— how it works, isn't it? exactly. but the other thing _ how it works, isn't it? exactly. but the other thing on _ how it works, isn't it? exactly. but the other thing on a _ how it works, isn't it? exactly. but the other thing on a more - the other thing on a more serious note, _ the other thing on a more serious note, one — the other thing on a more serious note, one thing that stood out was the thing _ note, one thing that stood out was the thing that didn't get talked about— the thing that didn't get talked about much. we have to decarbonise the economy, which will be absolute economic— the economy, which will be absolute economic resolution.—

economic resolution. we're off chris, thank— economic resolution. we're off chris, thank you. _ hello there. there'll be winners and losers when it comes to the weather forecast on thursday. for the far north and west, we will continue to see a rash of showers. it could be quite windy with it, as well. sunny spells elsewhere. the winds really quite a feature right across the country, but the strongest of the winds closest to this area of low pressure, driving in a rash of showers, maybe longer spells of rain at times. but elsewhere, particularly where we had quite a lot of cloud and it was drizzly from time to time on wednesday, will be a better story. more in the way of sunshine coming through. so, by the afternoon, expect this story. we will see these showers, and, as i say, some of them heavy, the brighter yellows and greens denoting that. and with the strength of the wind as well, well, those temperatures really struggling, 11—15 degrees. a few showers into northern ireland, not quite as many, and a few showers across northern england. but generally across england and wales, there'll be more in the way of sunshine, particularly across south—east england. temperatures peaking at 21 degrees. so that means for wimbledon, it will be a better day. we'll have some sunny spells coming through. by friday, though, once again

a change of fortunes, rain could have a part to play for the outer courts as we go through the day. and the reason being this frontal system that's going to slide in through the latter stages of thursday into friday, bringing more in the way of cloud and showery rain across south—west england during the early hours of friday morning, pushing towards sw19 for the early morning rush hour. but, generally speaking, those temperatures will hold up into double digits to start the day on friday. as we move into friday, then, there will be a good deal of dry, sunny weather really from the m4 corridor south. that's where we'll see the rain. a little more cloud, but generally across england and wales, a good slice of sunshine. a few isolated showers into north—west scotland, but generally those temperatures — not much change — ranging from 14—21 degrees if we're lucky. into the weekend, the unsettled theme is set to continue. very changeable, the weather story, at the moment. a ridge of high pressure to start saturday, but there'll be more wet weather moving in on sunday. so for england and wales, perhaps saturday the best day, but elsewhere, we'll see showers of longer spells of rain set to continue and those temperatures disappointing forjuly.

hello, you're watching the context on bbc news. the leaders of all the main parties have been travelling the country, making their final appeal for votes, as campaigns come to a close. more on the election in the uk for un just a moment but it is a big weekend for voting. this weekend, france heads to the polls again in a second round of its parliamentary eleciton. just want to show you these live pictures from paris. this is a rally urging voters to keep the anti—immigration national rally party from winning an absolute majority in that election this sunday. the far—right party is in pole position after the first round of voting last weekend. a left—wing alliance came in second, followed by emmanuel macron's group in third. the french president called the snap election in earlyjune

after the national rally�*s strong showing in the european elections.