France: Lower turnout so far than in 2017

In France, the decisive run-off election for the presidency is underway. A good quarter of the citizens voted by midday – the turnout is slightly lower than at the same time five years ago.

In the final round of the presidential elections in France, a good quarter of the registered French voted by midday. The Ministry of the Interior gave the voter turnout as of 12 noon at 26.41 percent. This was slightly above the turnout of 25.48 percent at the same time in the first round of voting two weeks ago. Compared to the presidential election five years ago, however, it is declining.

The liberal incumbent Emmanuel Macron and the right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen are up for election. In the 2017 election, when Macron and Le Pen also faced each other in the runoff, more than 28 percent had cast their votes by midday. As in the first round, a rather low turnout was expected before the vote.

Macron and Le Pen voted

Both candidates have already cast their votes. Macron voted together with his wife Brigitte at noon in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage in northern France. Le Pen voted in Hénin-Beaumont near Lille in northern France this morning.

Although polls recently predicted a lead for Macron, a victory for his challenger is not ruled out. In the final round of the presidential elections in France, the candidate who finished second in the first round repeatedly won.

Calls for Macron’s election

Macron and Le Pen prevailed in the first round of voting two weeks ago from a total of twelve candidates. Because of Le Pen’s sometimes extreme right-wing demands, numerous parties, eliminated candidates and social groups had called for Macron’s election. If he were victorious, he would be the first French president to serve a second term in 20 years.

But the outcome also depends on how many people actually vote. According to polls, a record number of voters could either cast invalid ballots or stay away from the polls altogether. Both candidates contested the 7.7 million votes of leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who missed the runoff.

Excitement also in Berlin and Brussels

Brussels and Berlin are also watching the election with excitement. In contrast to the pro-European Macron, Le Pen wants to distance himself from Germany and fundamentally change the European Union. You have in mind, for example, the prerogative of national law over EU law.

The French President is elected for five years. He has a significant influence on the country’s politics and often plays a more important role than the head of government he appoints.

Polling stations are open until 7 p.m. in France and 8 p.m. in some places. Because of the time difference, some French overseas territories, such as the Caribbean, voted on Saturday.