Le Pen’s challenge to the country’s mainstream order and the West’s unity against Russia had officials in Europe and Washington anxiously following the election amid the war in Ukraine.

She is sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin and skeptical of both NATO and the European Union.

Le Pen conceded defeat in a speech to supporters shortly after the projections were released, but said her unprecedented vote total represented “a shining victory in itself.”

“The ideas we represent are reaching summits,” she said.

After polls closed across France at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET), polling companies Opinionway, Harris and Ifop worked with media organizations to publish projected results based on early voting patterns. This method has accurately predicted French elections in the past.

The final result will be announced by the country’s interior ministry on Monday.