Emanuel Macron is facing an unexpected threat from Marine Le Pen as voters head to the polls today for the first round of the French presidential election. Polls released before the campaign blackout put Mr Macron at the top – but showed that the far-right National Rally leader was closing the gap. Other candidates in the race include far-left Jean-Luc Melenchon, far-right Eric Zemmour, who has been fined for inciting both racial and religious hatred, and Anne Hildago, mayor of Paris, for the Socialists. Figures raise turnout to 25 percent by noon – down from the last vote five years ago. Voting started at 8 am and will be completed at 7 p.m. (5 pm GMT) in most places and one hour later in major cities, when the first screenings of the results are expected.
Basic points
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Images from polls
Here are some other pictures of voters at the polls today: A voter votes in the first round of the French presidential election at a polling station in Toulouse (AFP via Getty Images) A voter picks his ballot at a polling station in Bordeaux town hall (AFP via Getty Images) Voters wait to vote in first round of French presidential election in Paris constituency (AFP via Getty Images) Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 4:30 p.m. 1649601444
Emanuel Macron and Marin Lepen
For months, the election sounded like a blow to Emanuel Macron. Now, however, it is being touted as an unexpected threat by far-right Marin Lepen. The current president is asking France’s 48 million voters for a second five-year term – but there are 11 other candidates and widespread voter apathy on his way. Many French people also accuse Macron of not doing enough to help them cope with the rising cost of food, fuel and heating, or accuse him of ignoring domestic concerns amid the war in Ukraine. Ms. Lepen sharpens the daily complaints of the average voter. It has also softened its rhetoric, but continues to target immigrants and Muslims with policies such as banning the Muslim headscarf in public. Additional report from the AP Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 3:37 PM 1649599855
The French community around the world is voting
The French community around the world is also heading to the polls to vote. (AFP via Getty Images) A voter leaves a polling station at the French Embassy in Dakar, Senegal (AFP via Getty Images) A man arrives at a polling station in Geneva for French citizens living in Switzerland (AFP via Getty Images) People stand in line at a polling station at the Victor Hugo School in Frankfurt, Germany (AFP via Getty Images) Zoe Tidman10 April 2022 15:10 1649599195
French electoral system
French voters use the same system that has been used for generations: paper ballots that are cast in person and counted by hand. Despite periodic calls for more flexibility or modernization, France does not vote by mail, vote early or use ballot machines en masse like the United States. More about this voting system here: Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 2:59 p.m. 1649598015
Hashtag #jevote
Voters share that they have voted on social media, with many using the hashtag #jevote. Here’s the Formula 2 race guide Theo Pourchaire: A former environment minister who says “five minutes for five years”: “It’s simple, it’s fast, it’s useful, it’s important” “First presidential election: I voted!” “I have voted (with intelligence and style)” “Today is the first time I voted in a presidential election” Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 2:40 p.m. 1649597455
Macron v Pen in the 2017 elections
The 2017 elections ended with these two facing each other in the final round. Emmanuel Macron won and has been president of France ever since. Here is a reminder of what happened last time, as reported by Kim Sengupta in Paris:
France defeats the populist revolution with the victory of Macron
Newly elected French president warns UK can not expect setbacks in Brexit negotiations if elected, vows to maintain a rigid line on EU single market access and European Court of Justice powers Zoe Tidman10 April 2022 14:30 1649596555
Emanuel Macron and the unexpected threat from Marin Le Pen
Until just weeks ago, opinion polls showed an easy victory for Emanuel Macron, who was bolstered by his active diplomacy for Ukraine, strong economic recovery and the weakness of a fragmented opposition. However, Marin Lepen has been an unexpected threat to his re-election hopes in recent weeks. The current centrist president entered the election campaign late, with only one large rally that even his supporters found irresistible. This, along with his focus on an unpopular plan to raise the retirement age, have lowered his rating. Ms Lepen was boosted by a persistent focus on cost-of-living issues and a sharp drop in support for her far-right rival, Eric Zemour. Polls released ahead of the midnight campaign blackout continued to show Macron leading the way in the first round – and also winning the second round against Ms Le Pen. But the same polls said they would be limited as Le Pen narrowed the gap, with some even seeing her victory on the margins of error. Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 2:15 p.m. 1649595955
Marin Lepen shares the picture of her vote
And Marin Le Pen also: Zoe Tidman 10 April 2022 14:05 1649595535
Macron is voting
Emanuel Macron tells his followers on Twitter that he voted: Zoe Tidman April 10, 2022 1:58 PM 1649594958
Macron kisses people on the head as he leaves the polling station
Emanuel Macron spoke to the people as he left the polling station where he voted in northern France today, even kissing some on the head. Emanuel Macron kisses a small child on the head as he speaks to attendees after voting at Le Touquet (AFP via Getty Images) Emanuel Macron kisses a man on the head at a polling station in Le Touquet in northern France (POOL / AFP via Getty Images) Zoe Tidman10 April 2022 13:49
