French Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Suffers Electoral Setback

National Rally Party Falls Short in European Elections

Le Pen Vows to Keep Fighting Despite "Disappointment"

The far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen has come out on top in the first round of France's European Parliament elections, according to preliminary results. However, the party's performance has fallen short of expectations, with Le Pen herself acknowledging the "disappointment" of the result.

With nearly all votes counted, the National Rally has secured an estimated 23.3% of the vote, ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's La République en Marche (LREM) with 22.4% and the Socialist Party (PS) with 16.3%. However, this is below the party's target of 25%, and Le Pen has expressed frustration with the outcome.

In a speech to supporters, Le Pen said that the result was "a disappointment," but vowed that the National Rally would continue to fight for its cause. She said that the party would "continue to denounce the European Union and its policies" and would "continue to defend France and the French people."

Despite the setback, the National Rally's performance is still seen as a significant achievement for the far-right in France. The party has been gaining support in recent years, and its success in the European elections further cements its position as a major force in French politics.