The surprising decision of French President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve parliament and hold elections three years early appears to have disastrously backfired. The first round results showed Macron’s coalition going from a supermajority after the 2017 elections down to third place with just 22% of votes. The leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, placed 2nd with 29% and the National Rally of Marine Le Pen and her allies took first place with 33%.