What to know about France's high-stakes election, where the far right is gaining ground
![Posters with images or names of local candidates for the first round of the 2024 French legislative elections displayed in front of the local town hall in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Normandy, France, on June 25. France will hold an early legislative election in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2524x1893+476+0/resize/2524x1893!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2Fca%2F77b4ca6242b092de0e8f72b4334c%2F2024-06-25t000000z-1604374538-mt1nurpho0000kxwvd-rtrmadp-3-france-elections-legislative-copy.jpg)
The president called surprise legislative elections, in two rounds on Sunday and July 7, and they're shaping up to be among the country's most divisive in recent history.
(Image credit: Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
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