Political candidates are back on the campaign trail in France, just a day after the far right picked up major gains in the first round of voting. The National Rally (RN) secured around 33 percent of the vote putting it in pole position ahead of next week's runoff vote on July 7. 

The left-wing alliance, New Popular Front, secured roughly 28 percent with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist group in third place with just over 20 percent. 

The opinion polls largely rang true and the RN won big in the first round of voting. 

Its leader Jordan Bardella has cautioned against complacency. He's eyeing an absolute majority in parliament and the chance to be prime minister when French citizens head back to the polls in the runoff race on July 7. 

"I therefore call on all French people who care about their freedom and France's recovery to join me in amplifying the momentum and ensuring that the National Union wins out against those who want to divide us, undermine public order and trample on our values," Bardella said.

The RN's opponents say those values are of division and discrimination. The party has campaigned on a pledge to drastically cut immigration and block some dual nationals from some state jobs. 

Exit polls from Sunday's race triggered some protests on the streets of Paris, with France facing the prospect of the first far-right government since World War II. 

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Analysts say this election was an enormous gamble, just three weeks after Macron's centrist bloc suffered a bruising result in European elections. France wasn't due to hold elections until 2027 and now Macron faces the prospect of a contentious cohabitation period should Bardella become the next prime minister. 

The RN's opponents say voters can still prevent them from securing an absolute majority in the National Assembly.

"So the situation is clear," said current PM Gabriel Attal, "the challenge of this second round is to deprive the extreme right of an absolute majority, by building an assembly where we will carry enough weight to build majorities based on projects and ideas between republican forces," he added.

Members of both the centrist bloc and the left-wing coalition have suggested they will withdraw candidates tactically in an effort to beat the RN in next weekend's run-off races.

The National Rally has already made historic gains in this election. It's a gut punch to Macron's centrist alliance – but now the right-wingers are seeking the knockout blow of an absolute majority in parliament.

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