STORY: French markets endured another brutal sell-off on Friday (June 14) as bank stocks tumbled.

Investors are worried as political uncertainty hangs over the country.

Earlier this week, President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections, and Marine Le Pen's eurosceptic National Rally leads in opinion polls.

Her party wants the retirement age reduced and supports a protectionist "France first" economic policy.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned the euro zone's second-biggest economy faces the risk of a financial crisis.

Three of the largest lenders - BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale - have lost between 10 and 15% in value this week.

On Friday, they were hit hard again, with BNP down over 3% in early trade.

The premium investors demand to hold French government bonds over euro zone benchmark Germany also rose to its highest level since 2017.

France's benchmark CAC 40 stock index was down over 2% early Friday, and heading for a weekly loss of 5%.

A decision by France's left wing parties to form a "Popular Front" added to selling pressure, analysts said.

They believed it hurts Macron's chances of winning in the election.

The first round of voting takes place on June 30.