FRANCE could be set for a revolutionary political shake-up with a left coalition of communists and socialists on target for success after the first round of voting in the parliamentary elections. 

President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition is expected to lose its majority to the leftist New Ecologic and Social People’s Union (Nupes) alliance, formed following April’s presidential election. 

It could see Mr Macron’s rival in that poll, Jean-Luc Melenchon, become the country’s prime minister after his France Unbowed joined forces with the Greens, the French Communist Party and others to challenge the status quo. 

If polling is accurate it would be the first time since 1958, the beginning of the so-called Fifth Republic, that the elected president is not certain of having an absolute parliamentary majority. 

Last week Mr Macron pitched to French voters, advising them that the Nupes coalition poses a threat to continued membership of both the European Union and the Nato military alliance. 

He took a swipe at Mr Melenchon, who isn’t standing for election, hinting that he may refuse to appoint him as prime minister should the coalition achieve electoral success. 

“The president chooses the person he names the prime minister from parliament. No political party can impose a name on the president,” Mr Macron said. 

Voter turnout was at just 39.42 per cent at 5pm, lower than in 2017. Early results were due at 8pm after the Morning Star went to print. 

Polls suggest that more than 50 per cent of those eligible to vote are set to abstain, a new record low. 

Any candidate who gets an absolute majority of votes and at least one-quarter of registered voters is immediately elected. 

If not, candidates with at least 12.5 per cent of the vote go through to the second round next Sunday.