The late entry into the election campaign, which was caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the focus on unpopular plans to raise the retirement age – undermined the ratings of the incumbent.
France's first round of presidential elections has begun, and right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen is unexpectedly challenging centrist Emmanuel Macron, shaking hopes of an easy victory. Many political scientists fear that this year's turnout could be a record since the 2002 campaign, when 28.4% of citizens decided not to vote (71.6% voted at the time). Of course, the results will also be affected by the high level of undecided voters, writes Le Monde.
Until the first results are received on Sunday at 20:00, public gatherings, leaflets and digital propaganda are prohibited. Polling stations opened at 8 am in mainland France and polls or estimates cannot be published until the results are announced. Due to the time difference, some foreign voters began voting as early as Saturday.
Only a few weeks ago, opinion polls indicated a pro-European centrist Macron's easy victory. .
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But his late entry into the election campaign, which was facilitated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, focusing on unpopular plans to raise the retirement age – undermined the ratings of the incumbent, reports Reuters.
National Union candidate Marin Le Pen for the position of the second candidate for the second round, despite the fact that on April 8 the French across the country began to receive SMS with fake polls, according to which her place could get the second far-right candidate, Eric Zemmour.
Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Melanchon gradually rose to third place. But political scientists do not rule out that the three votes cast by the poll may come as a surprise.
The other day, President Macron said he saw clear signs of war crimes committed by the Russian military. against civilians in the city of Bucha.
Meanwhile, Le Pen said in December last year that Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of interest, and on the question of whether the country has the right to join NATO, replied that the Alliance could not accept new members today.
