France’s far-right National Rally says it will lead a government only with an absolute majority WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio [Video]

PARIS — (AP) — The star president of France’s National Rally will take the helm of government only if the party wins an absolute majority in Sunday’s second round of legislative elections, the leading far-right figure Marine Le Pen said Tuesday.

The National Rally, under party president Jordan Bardella, secured the most votes in the first round of the surprise legislative elections on June 30 but not enough to claim overall victory.

“We cannot accept going into government if we cannot act,” Le Pen said in an interview Tuesday with public broadcaster France Inter. “It would be the worst betrayal of our voters.”

Round one on Sunday propelled the National Rally closer than ever to government but also left open the possibility that voters could yet block its path to power in the second and final round on July 7.

Le Pen’s party and its opponents in the left-wing alliance of the New Popular Front as well as President Emmanuel Macron’s weakened centrists are all seeking …