ATLANTA (AP) — Tim Weah threw an inexcusable punch, and the United States took a huge blow to its hopes of advancing at the Copa America.
José Fajardo beat backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 83rd minute to give Panama a 2-1 victory on Thursday night over the shorthanded Americans, putting the host country in danger of elimination if it doesn't beat Uruguay in its first-round finale.
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ATLANTA (AP) — Tim Weah threw an inexcusable punch, and the United States took a huge blow to its hopes of advancing at the Copa America.
Panama's goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera celebrates his team's 2-1 victory over United States at the end of a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama forward Eduardo Guerrero (9) battles for possession against U.S. defender Chris Richards (3) during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
U.S. defender Antonee Robinson (5) gets fouled by Panama defender Edgardo Fariña (24) during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Panama players celebrate as U.S. defender Tim Ream (13) watches after Panama's win during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez//Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Tim Weah of the United States leaves the field after receiving a red card during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States (20), celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Weston McKennie of the United States (8), and teammates celebrate a goal that was later disallowed by a VAR decision during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Panama's Cesar Blackman celebrates after scoring his side's first goal against United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States (20), celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Cesar Blackman celebrates after scoring the equalizer against the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Referee Ivan Barton sends off Tim Weah of the United States, left, during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Michael Murillo, right, jumps for a ball challenged by Josh Sargent of the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Jose Fajardo celebrates scoring his side's second goal against the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Christian Pulisic of the United States leaves the field after losing 1-2 against Panama at the end of a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The U.S. played most of the game a man down after Weah was sent off in the 18th minute.
“You never mean to get a red card. Under no type of circumstances,” teammate Tyler Adams said. "He apologized to the team.”
Weah issued a public apology on social media.
“I let my team and my country down,” he said. “A moment of frustration let to an irreversible consequence, and for that I am deeply sorry to my teammates, coaches, family and our fans.”
Weah was sent off by Salvadoran referee Iván Barton with a straight red card for punching Roderick Miller in the back of the head.
“A silly, silly decision by Timmy that leaves us shorthanded,” coach Gregg Berhalter said.
Folarin Balogun put the U.S. ahead in the 22nd minute but César Blackman tied the score in the 26th.
Horvath, who replaced injured Matt Turner at halftime, couldn’t prevent Fajardo's close-range shot from going through his arms, and Panama beat the U.S. for just the third time in 27 meetings.
“A win tonight would have put us in a great position, and unfortunately the opposite happened,” American captain Christian Pulisic said. “I'm proud of the effort that we responded with after obviously what happened (with Weah), but just really disappointed that’s the way we did it.”
The U.S., which opened with a 2-0 win against Bolivia, plays 15-time Copa champion Uruguay on Monday at Kansas City, Missouri.
For U.S. to advance, it must either beat Uruguay and have a greater goal difference than Panama if Panama beats Bolivia; tie Uruguay while Panama and Bolivia also draw; or lose to Uruguay while finishing with a better goal difference than Panama and Bolivia. The U.S. is plus-one, Panama minus-one and Bolivia minus-seven.
“We believe in this group,” Berhalter said. “It's a strong team. I think if we stay focused and stick to and execute a game plan, we’ll be OK.”
But failing to advance in the biggest test for the Americans ahead of the 2026 World Cup certainly would raise questions about whether Berhalter should remain in charge.
He got that very query not long after the final whistle.
“If we don’t qualify for the next round, should my job be in the line?” Berhalter said, cutting right to the point. “That’s not for me to determine.”
Weston McKennie appeared to put the U.S. ahead in the fifth minute but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Panama also finished a man short after Adalberto Carrasquilla was given a red card in the 88th for chopping down Pulisic from behind. The U.S. threw everyone forward in a desperate attempt to tie the game -- including Horvath -- but Panama held.
Panama lost to Uruguay 3-1 in its opene r and closes group play in Orlando, Florida, against Bolivia, a team with 14 straight Copa America losses after a 5-0 rout by the Uruguayans in the late game Thursday night.
“I’m super happy with the victory," Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said. “I think it’s also well deserved, because we have read the game rightly. Even though they were missing a player for a long time, you had to score the goals to win this game. And when the score was 1-0, the situation was complicated, even if you played with one more, with the quality that the United States has shown.”
Now, it's the Panamanians — not the Americans — who have the upper hand to move on.
“I have clear ideas, my team also has clear ideas, about what it is capable of doing," Christiansen said. "We have achieved three fabulous points”.
A pro-American crowd of 59,145 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was irate after Weah's ejection, especially after several other calls went against the home team, but there was little question that the U.S. player deserved the red card.
Chris Richards’ header from Pulisic’s corner kick was deflected off the crossbar by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, and a video review determined Tim Ream was offside when he poked the ball to McKennie, who put the ball in from near the penalty spot.
Blackman did not receive a card when he collided in the 12th minute with a leaping Turner, who landed awkwardly on his right arm and was down for several minutes while being tended to by medical personnel.
Balogun scored after a sloppy clearance. Antonee Robinson dribbled into the penalty area and passed to the striker. Balogun exchanged taps with Robinson and curled a shot from the edge of the area off the inside of the far post and in for his fifth goal in 14 appearances.
Blackman tied the score in the 26th when he took a pass from Carrasquilla at the arc, dribbled around Robinson and shot through the legs of Richards and just past Turner’s outstretched arm.
Berhalter made three substitutions to start the second half. Turner left with a bruised left leg and Horvath entered in his first game for club or country since May 4.
Turner's status for the next match is not known. Weah won't dress because of the red card.
The Americans benefitted from a video review in the 63rd minute after Cameron Carter-Vickers, another substitute, was whistled for taking down Fajardo in the area. The call was reversed when a video review showed Fajardo already had crossed the ball when Carter-Vickers made contact.
Panama held possession for a staggering 73.6% of the match and outshot the U.S. 13-6, leaving the big crowd with little to do except express its displeasure at the officiating.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Chris Richards of the United States lies on the pitch after losing1-2 against Panama at the end of a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera celebrates his team's 2-1 victory over United States at the end of a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama forward Eduardo Guerrero (9) battles for possession against U.S. defender Chris Richards (3) during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
U.S. defender Antonee Robinson (5) gets fouled by Panama defender Edgardo Fariña (24) during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Panama players celebrate as U.S. defender Tim Ream (13) watches after Panama's win during a Copa América 2024 Group C soccer match Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez//Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Tim Weah of the United States leaves the field after receiving a red card during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States (20), celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Weston McKennie of the United States (8), and teammates celebrate a goal that was later disallowed by a VAR decision during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Panama's Cesar Blackman celebrates after scoring his side's first goal against United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Folarin Balogun of the United States (20), celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Cesar Blackman celebrates after scoring the equalizer against the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Referee Ivan Barton sends off Tim Weah of the United States, left, during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Panama in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Michael Murillo, right, jumps for a ball challenged by Josh Sargent of the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Panama's Jose Fajardo celebrates scoring his side's second goal against the United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Christian Pulisic of the United States leaves the field after losing 1-2 against Panama at the end of a Copa America Group C soccer match in Atlanta, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
PARIS (AP) — Voters across mainland France cast ballots Sunday in the first round of early parliamentary elections that could put the government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era.
The two-round elections that wrap up July 7 could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and the management of France’s nuclear arsenal and global military force.
Many French voters are frustrated about inflation and other economic concerns, as well as President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, seen as arrogant and out-of-touch with their lives. Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally party has tapped that discontent, notably via online platforms like TikTok, and led in preelection opinion polls.
A new coalition on the left, the New Popular Front, also poses a challenge to the pro-business Macron and his centrist alliance Together for the Republic. It includes the French Socialists and Communists, the greens and the hard-left France Unbowed party and vows to reverse an unpopular pension reform law that raised the retirement age to 64, among other economic reforms.
There are 49.5 million registered voters who will choose the 577 members of the National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament.
Turnout at midday Sunday stood at 25.9% according to interior ministry figures, higher than the 18.43% at midday during 2022 legislative elections. The vote was taking place during the traditional first week of summer vacation in France, and absentee ballot requests were at least five times higher than in 2022.
The first polling projections were expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), when final polling stations close. Early official results were expected later Sunday.
Macron voted in Le Touquet, a seaside resort in northern France. Le Pen also voted in the north, her party’s stronghold, but in the working-class town of Hennin-Beaumont.
Voters in Paris had issues from immigration to the rising cost of living on their minds as the country has grown more divided between the far right and far left blocs, with a deeply unpopular and weakened president in the political center. The campaign was marred by rising hate speech.
“People don't like what has been happening,” said Cynthia Justine, 44. “People feel they've lost a lot in recent years. People are angry. I am angry.” She added that with “the rising hate speech,” it was necessary to express frustrations with those holding and seeking power.
She said it was important as a woman to vote since women haven't always had that right. And “because I am a Black woman, it's even more important. A lot is at stake on this day.”
Macron called the early elections after his party was trounced in the European Parliament election earlier in June by the National Rally, which has historic ties to racism and antisemitism and is hostile toward France’s Muslim community. It also has historical ties to Russia.
Macron's call was an audacious gamble that French voters who were complacent about the European election would be jolted into turning out for moderate forces in national elections to keep the far right out of power.
Instead, preelection polls suggested that the National Rally is gaining support and has a chance at winning a parliamentary majority. In that scenario, Macron would be expected to name 28-year-old National Rally President Jordan Bardella as prime minister in an awkward power-sharing system known as “cohabitation.”
While Macron has said he won’t step down before his presidential term expires in 2027, cohabitation would weaken him at home and on the world stage.
A 64-year-old voter, Philippe Lempereur, expressed fatigue with politicians from the left, right and center and what he called their inability to work together on issues like ensuring people have shelter and enough to eat. “We vote by default, for the least worse option,” he said. “I prefer to vote than do nothing.”
The results of the first round will give a picture of voter sentiment, but not necessarily of the overall makeup of the next National Assembly. Predictions are difficult because of the complicated voting system, and because parties will work between the rounds to make alliances in some constituencies or pull out of others.
In the past, such maneuvers helped keep far-right candidates from power. But support for Le Pen's party has spread deep and wide.
Bardella, who has no governing experience, says he would use the powers of prime minister to stop Macron from continuing to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for the war with Russia.
The National Rally has also questioned the right to citizenship for people born in France, and wants to curtail the rights of French citizens with dual nationality. Critics say this undermines human rights and is a threat to France's democratic ideals.
Meanwhile, huge public spending promises by the National Rally and especially the left-wing coalition have shaken markets and ignited worries about France's heavy debt, already criticized by EU watchdogs.
In the restive French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, polls closed earlier due to a curfew that authorities have extended until July 8. Violence there flared last month leaving nine people dead, due to attempts by Macron’s government to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists, which the Indigenous Kanaks feared would further marginalize them. They have long sought to break free from France.
Voters in France’s other overseas territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana and French Polynesia and those voting in offices opened by embassies and consular posts across the Americas cast their ballots on Saturday.
Surk contributed from Nice, France. Diane Jeantet contributed from Lens, France.
An earlier version corrected to say Macron voted in Le Touquet instead of Paris.
Follow AP's coverage of elections at https://apnews.com/hub/global-elections
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron leave the voting booth before voting in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
Far left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon exits the voting booth before voting, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Paris. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Voters at a polling station in the first round of the French parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
A voter casts their ballot at a polling station for the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
People stand in voting booths at a polling station for the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with supporters after voting in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
A voter leaves a booth at a pooling station to vote in the first round of the French parliamentary election, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron enter the voting booth before voting in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
Two people ride a bicycle in front of an electoral panel in Rennes, western France, Sunday June 30, 2024.France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election on Sunday that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II.The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron leave the voting booth before voting in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
People queue to vote in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France began casting ballots Sunday in the first round of exceptional parliamentary election that could put France's government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era. The outcome of the two-round election, which will wrap up July 7, could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and how France's nuclear arsenal and global military force are managed. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
A voter arrives at a polling station to vote in the first round of the French parliamentary election, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Voters wait at a polling station to vote in the first round of the French parliamentary election, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station for the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station for the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station for the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris, Sunday June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
A voter casts his ballot in the first round of the legislative election in Vanves, outside Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Voters wait at a polling station to vote in the first round of the French parliamentary election, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Voters across mainland France are casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal shakes hands to a resident after voting for the first round of parliamentary elections in Vanves, outside Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal casts his vote in the first round of parliamentary elections in Vanves, outside Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (Arnaud Finistre, Pool via AP)
Far-right National Rally party president Jordan Bardella arrives to vote Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Garches, outside Paris. Voters across mainland France began casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election that could put France's government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era. The outcome of the two-round election, which will wrap up July 7, could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and how France's nuclear arsenal and global military force are managed. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
A voter stands in the voting booth during the first round of the legislative election in Vanves, outside Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen casts her ballot for the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen casts her ballot for the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen arrives to vote, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen, center, leaves after voting in the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen, center, with local mayor Steeve Briois, left, leave after voting in the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal prepares to cast his ballot in the first round of parliamentary elections in Vanves, outside Paris, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (Arnaud Finistre, Pool via AP)
Elderly people talk at the voting station Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen arrives to vote, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen leaves after voting in the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen, right, casts her ballot for the first round of the parliamentary election, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
French President Emmanuel Macron kisses a man's head as he arrives at a polling station to to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he arrives at a polling station to to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron greets residents as he arrives at a polling station to to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
A person adjusts voting envelopes in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election on Sunday that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
A person votes in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election on Sunday that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
A woman votes in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election on Sunday that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
French President Emmanuel Macron greets residents as he arrives at a polling station to to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, casts his ballot to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary election, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
Far-right National Rally party president Jordan Bardella poses for a selfie after voting Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Garches, outside Paris. Voters across mainland France began casting ballots in the first round of an exceptional parliamentary election that could put France's government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era. The outcome of the two-round election, which will wrap up July 7, could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and how France's nuclear arsenal and global military force are managed. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, casts his ballot to vote in the first round of the early French parliamentary election, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 30, 2024. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain (Yara Nardi, Pool via AP)
French far right leader Marine Le Pen arrives to vote, Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. France is holding the first round of an early parliamentary election that could bring the country's first far-right government since Nazi occupation during World War II. The second round is on July 7, and the outcome of the vote remains highly uncertain. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A woman walks past campaign boards for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Paris, Thursday June 27, 2024. Voters will choose lawmakers for the National Assembly in two rounds on June 30 and July 7. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
People gather on the Republique Plaza during a rally in Paris, Thursday June 27, 2024. Anti-racism groups joined French unions and left-wing coalition in protests against the surging nationalist far right as French President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections following the defeat of his centrist alliance at European Union elections earlier this month. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
FILE - Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Front party, arrives at the Eurosatory Defense and security exhibition, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in Villepinte, north of Paris. The perspective of a defeat in parliamentary elections mean he may have to share power with a prime minister from rival political party — that could possibly be far-right National Rally's president Jordan Bardella. Macron defeated twice the National Rally's leader Marine Le Pen in the presidential election, both in 2017 and 2022.( AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, right, meets French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally) leader Marine Le Pen at the Elysee Palace on June 21, 2022 in Paris. The perspective of a defeat in parliamentary elections mean he may have to share power with a prime minister from rival political party — that could possibly be far-right National Rally's president Jordan Bardella. Macron defeated twice the National Rally's leader Marine Le Pen in the presidential election, both in 2017 and 2022. (Ludovic Marin/Pool photo via AP, File)
