France's high-stakes election begins, Emmanuel Macron casts vote

Voting for the first round of the high-stakes parliamentary election in France has begun.

French President Emmanuel Macron who called for surprise elections just weeks ago cast his vote on Sunday.

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's resurgent National Rally, also voted in the first round.

Macron sought early elections after Le Pen's far-right party trounced the centrists in the European elections.

The two-round French election will wrap up 7th of July and its outcome could impact European financial markets.

A new coalition on the left, the New Popular Front, is also posing a challenge to the pro-business Macron and his centrist alliance Together for the Republic.

There are 49.5 million registered voters who will choose 577 members of the National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament, during the two-round voting.

(With AP inputs)

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