'Our victory has only been delayed,' Le Pen says

Marine Le Pen of France's far-right National Rally has expressed optimism despite her party losing out in the second round of high-stakes parliamentary elections, which saw the new left-wing alliance pull off a surprise win, according to initial projections.

"The tide continues to rise and our victory today has only been delayed," Le Pen said after first projections based on early vote counts put the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) in first place.

She and her party were gaining ground against a coalition of all movements, Le Pen said.

The National Rally won a first round of voting on June 30, but fell to third place on Sunday with an expected 135 to 145 seats in the country's 577-seat National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

The NFP is expected to take 177 to 198 seats, followed by President Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp with 152 to 169 seats, down from 245, broadcasters TF1 and France 2 predicted in their latest forecast after polls closed on Sunday evening.

The projected result would still mean a significant gain in seats for the National Rally if confirmed, however.