Turnout drops to record low

JUST OVER 60% OF VOTERS ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE VOTED TODAY IN ELECTIONS WHICH HAVE SEEN A CLEAR SWING TO THE RIGHT AS PREDICTED, the estimated turnout for the first round of the elections is

a record low – just 60.5%, compared to 66.5% in 2008. With the first results showing the right in the lead, the poor showing, as estimated by the Ipsos Sterios Institute, is being described

by commentators as a reprimand to François Hollande’s Socialist government. France Info reports that the first national estimates give the left 43% of the vote, the right 48% and the Front

National 7%, a picture similar to that predicted by a CSA poll at the end of last month. As expected, results so far show a strong push for the far-right FN, with at least one of its

candidates, Steeve Briois in Hénin-Beaumont (Pas-de-Calais) winning in the first round with an absolute majority of 50.26%. Socialist Party spokesman David Assouline has called the results a

“major and worrying rise [for the FN]”, while FN leader Marine Le Pen has hailed “an exceptional year”. Mr Assouline called on voters to “do everything to prevent” the FN from winning more

towns next week. Second rounds are needed in communes where there is no absolute majority for one list, and, apart from in communes under 1,000 residents, only lists which won at least 10%

at the first round go through. Apart from Hénin-Beaumont, the FN has come out on top in towns including Béziers (44.7%), Perpignan (33.8%), Avignon (29.8%) and Fréjus (nearly 40%); while in

others like Nîmes (where it was in second place) as well as in Reims, Quimper, Amiens, Saint-Etienne and Tourcoing, it was not top but is expected to play off against the Socialists and the

right in a “triangular” second round. Niort and Pau are among towns where the PS is expected to lose control of the mairie and in Amiens, previously Socialist, the UMP won 45.7% compared to

25.5% for the Socialist candidate. Pau saw success for François Bayrou of centrists Modem with 41%, well in front of the Socialists with 26.8%. A number of well-known figures from the UMP

had a strong showing, with ones who have won at the first round including party leader Copé with an estimated 64% in Meaux and Laurent Wauquiez with 69% in Puy-en-Velay. In Saint-Quentin

Xavier Betrand won 52.73%. On the Socialist side, Work Minister Michel Sapin has been elected in Argentin-sur-Creuse (though he will not be mayor, being number three on the list).