Paris | Opponents of France’s National Rally (RN) stepped up their bid to block the far-right party from power on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) as more candidates agreed to pull out of this weekend’s run-off election to avoid splitting the anti-RN vote.

More than 200 candidates have confirmed they will not stand in Sunday’s second-round for France’s 577-seat national parliament, according to local media estimates. Others had until 6pm (2am AEST) to make their choice.

Reuters