Weak performances by French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist and Marine Le Pen's right-wing parties in the first round of regional elections in France suggest that new candidates could become central players in the presidential election in 2022. This could push Macron to avoid any unpopular economic reforms that could damage his reelection chances. France held the first round of regional elections June 20, a vote that tested the popularity of the country's main presidential candidates, Macron and Le Pen, in advance of presidential elections in April and May 2022. Macron's La Republique En Marche! failed to win first place in any of the 13 regions in metropolitan France, while Le Pen's National Rally only did so in one region. Overall, center-right political parties reached the first position in six regions and center-left parties topped the vote in five. The second round will take place June 27.