Rivals move to block France's right-wing National Party's election momentum

Rivals of France’s right-wing National Rally party are scrambling Monday to prevent it from obtaining an absolute majority after it made considerable gains in the country’s first round of elections, potentially paving the way for France's most conservative government since World War II. 

Marked by high turnout of nearly 68%, voters handed Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party a strong lead on Sunday, with about 33% of the vote. The New Popular Front, a leftist alliance, finished second with about 28%.