PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron faced a tough test on Sunday as he sought re-election in a vote that is expected to end in a close runoff with far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Some 48.7 million voters were eligible to vote after an unusual campaign marred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Early indications showed the afternoon turnout was more than four percentage points lower than the same period in 2017, suggesting the turnout could be the lowest since 2002, when a record number of French people stayed away.
Polls predict that Macron will be ahead of Le Pen by a few percentage points in the first round, with the top two voting for the second round on April 24.
Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon is hot on their heels in third place, still estimating his chances of reaching the second round at the expense of Le Pen or even – much to Macron’s irritation.
Macron voted around noon in Le Touquet on the northern coast of France, accompanied by his wife Brigitte.
Le Pen voted in Hénin-Beaumont, also in the north of the country, while Mélenchon voted in the southern port city of Marseille.
Despite her opponents accusing her of being an extremist who wants to divide society, Le Pen has tried, with some success, to present a more dovish image and address everyday voter concerns like rising prices.
Macron, on the other hand, campaigned relatively little and, according to his own statements, started the electoral campaign later than he would have liked due to the war in Ukraine.
French television channels will broadcast projections of the final results, which are usually very accurate, once the polls close at 6:00 p.m. GMT.
