France's High-Stakes Election Begins With Surge In Voter Turnout
Voters across mainland France have begun casting ballots Sunday in the first round of exceptional parliamentary elections that could put Franceās government in the hands of nationalist parties.
As reported previously, the outcome of the two-round elections, which will wrap up on July 7, could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and how Franceās nuclear arsenal and global military force are managed.
As Epoch Times notes, many French voters are frustrated about inflation and economic concerns, as well as President Emmanuel Macronās leadership, which they see as arrogant and out-of-touch with their lives. Marine Le Penās nationalist National Rally party has dominated all pre-election opinion polls.
A new coalition on the left, the New Popular Front, is also posing a challenge to Mr. Macron and his centrist alliance Together for the Republic.
There are 49.5 million registered voters who will choose 577 members of the National Assembly, Franceās influential lower house of parliament, during the two-round voting.
Polls opened at 0600 GMT and will close at 1600 GMT in small towns and cities, with an 1800 GMT finish in the bigger cities, when the first exit polls for the night and seat projections for the decisive second round a week later are expected.
The participation is already running high, underlining how France's rumbling political crisis has energized the electorate. By midday, turnout was at 25.9%, compared with 18.43% two years ago - the highest comparable turnout figures since the 1981 legislative vote, Ipsos France's research director Mathieu Gallard said.
Macron voted at a polling station in Le Touquet, a small seaside town in northern France, along with his wife, Brigitte Macron. Earlier, Ms. Le Pen cast her ballot in her partyās stronghold in northern France.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/frances-high-stakes-election-begins