Record voter turnout upset French election predictions

Following weeks of humdrum over the French election, millions of voters unexpectedly turned out for the country’s parliamentary election — causing a shift in the tide that had analysts forecasting a new era for the country under the far-right National Rally party.

The record turnout marks yet another tumultuous bump in the country’s electoral road and has left many wondering whether or not the growing wave of nationalism is a genuine paradigm shift, or simply political apathy.