World

France Votes: Massive Turnout So Far

by Jordan Yerman | April 22, 2007 at 08:54 am

501 views | 0 Recommendations | 2 comments

French citizens swarm the polls, eager to have their say in who makes it through to the runoff election next month. More than one million newly-registered voters should be turning up today, and they are likely to be voting against the status quo-- we will see if there's a sizeable gap between the new registrations and actual votes.

French voters have been streaming to the polls to cast their ballot in a presidential election seen as the nation's most unpredictable in decades.

With three hours to go, nearly 74% had already voted, exceeding the total turnout for the last elections in 2002.

Twelve hopefuls are seeking a spot in the second-round run-off on 6 May.

The leading candidates are centre-right Nicolas Sarkozy, socialist Segolene Royal, centrist Francois Bayrou and far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.

At 1500 GMT, turnout stood at 73.87%, according to the interior ministry, the highest rate in a first round since at least 1981.

I cannot find any candidate that truly represents my views

Muriel Calvez, 19

In pictures: France votes

Europe Diary: A useful vote

Correspondents say many French voters approached the election in a mood of mingled fear and hope, believing France needs change after 12 years under President Jacques Chirac but unsure which direction to opt for.