Shock exit poll findings indicate that the left-wing New Popular Front alliance is leading and that France's far-right National Rally has failed to emerge as the country's largest party in the legislative elections.

An exit poll conducted by Ipsos predicted that the NFP coalition would gain between 172 and 192 seats, which would be a devastating blow to Marine Le Pen. The Ensemble group, which supports Emmanuel Macron, would come in second, and Ms. Le Pen's party would come in third. The results are expected to be certified on Monday morning.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced he will tender his resignation after the results of the exit polls.

When Mr. Macron announced a quick election last month, even his own supporters were taken aback, especially given the significant gains the anti-immigration National Rally had made in European elections.

The president gambled that French voters would block the far right as they have in the past.

But the National Rally instead won a larger share than ever in the first round of voting on 30 June.

More than 200 candidates from the Macron-backing Ensemble alliance and left-wing New Popular Front stepped down in seats otherwise facing a three-way battle, in a so-called “republican front” against the far right.