Elections in France, at 5pm turnout was close to 60%: never so high since 1981

Voting takes place until 6pm and 8pm in big cities

ROME – France returns to the polls for the second round of the legislative elections, voting until 6pm and 8pm in the big cities. The turnout at 5pm was 59.71%: this is the highest figure since 1981 and represents an increase of almost twenty points compared to the second round in 2022 (38.1%).

After having brought their party to 33.15% of the votes in the first round, counting the votes of the candidates of Eric Ciotti, contested president of the Republicans (LR), the two figures of the RN are looking for the strategy that will allow them to obtain the absolute majority in the second round. And the arrival of Jordan Bardella in Matignon that they so desire. To do this, they are waiting for signs that could demonstrate that this goal is achievable, despite a lower score than announced in the polls.

At 6.30pm Emmanuel Macron – as reported by Le Figaro – will meet Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the leaders of the outgoing majority parties at the Elysée. This meeting will take place one and a half hours before the announcement of the results of the second round. According to the entourage of the head of state, on the other hand, there is “no speech expected at this stage” by the President of the Republic at the end of the elections.

Due to possible crowds that could break out after the results are announced, around 30,000 police have been mobilized across France, and 5,000 in Paris alone.