President Emmanuel Macron is clear favorite in French Presidency race Sunday after a big unknown may factor prove Decisive: an unprecedented rate of people They say they are not sure who to vote for or do not intend to vote Absolutely, bring a big potion of Election uncertainty.
The pro-European milieu is still comfortable leading in The election. for him main The challenger appears far-right leader Marine Le Pen on The rise in the last days. Both in good Position to reach the presidential runoff on April 24, which will make them repeat the 2017 elections held by Macron won Easily.
“There is no certainty,” Macron warned during his visit. first big gathering on Saturday near Paris.
“do not believe in Opinion polls or commenters who Will be sound Final and tell you that … elections already He did, and that everything would be fine,” he told his supporters. “From Brexit to several elections, what seems unlikely can happen!”
scenarios for this is year’s second-round vote show Le Pen has significantly narrowed the gap with Comparing Macron to 2017 – When I lost with 34% support His 66%.
Polls are still place she has behind Macron, but much closer, apparently shows wisdom of Its long ago strategy To soften her speech and her image – let her do it capture against Macron vote As well as the far right support.
In recent days, Macron campaign she has also hit a speed bump called it “the McKinsey case,” named after an American consulting firm that was hired to advise the French. government on Vaccinated against COVID-19 campaign and other policies. a new French Senate report casts doubt on government’s use of private McKinsey advisers accuse of Tax evasion. The issue Macron’s rivals activate and harass him campaign to stop.
many in Macron’s camp fears its supporters won’t go to the polls because they already I think he will win, while those angry at his policies will sure to vote.
“Of course I have concerns,” said Julian Decamps, 28-year-old member of Macron party, stressing that some people in His entourage “Don’t do it know what should be done.”
“Macron is not completely convinced, but if they reject extremism, they are,” he added should vote for He said “.
Macron called on to mobilize voters against Both the far right and the far right in France -left. “Do not mock them, fight their thoughts.”
In third place, according to opinion polls, far -left Jean-Luc Melenchon character who increased his support but still distance behind Le Pen. Another far-right candidate, Eric Zemmour, and conservative Rival Valerie Pecres among others key Challengers. Sunday first round will qualify Top Candidates for Runoff.
Presidential elections are one Which attracts French voters the most.
However, the participation rate has decreased from 84%. in 2007 to about 78% in 2017 and studies show It might be abstinence higher since five years. Especially, young And the working class people He appears less confident going to the polls than retirees and upper-class voters.
Low turnout can have a big impact on The vote, say the pollsters. They note that a larger proportion of people don’t do know after for who they want vote – Or whether they would vote Absolutely.
This is the situation of Administrative Assistant Lisa Garnier, 45 who spirits in affluent suburb of montmorency, north of Paris.
“I do not believe in What do politicians say anymore. They make a lot of Promises, say the words of the candidates, and once in “We are disappointed,” she said. “I have the impression that more And the more people I think it’s useless: Vote for who? Why?”
Garnier feels that politicians are very far from reality of French daily life. she said may just pick empty voteeven in in The second round If Macron facing Le Pen.
“me want to show I’m not happy with She said “.
buy drowning power of French families one of Voters’ interests rising Food and energy prices, combined with social Payments, security, immigration and environment. But many feel that these issues have not been addressed as much should in this is year’s campaignPartly because of the war in Ukraine casts a shadow over all other issues.
Kevin, 26-yearOld or old history and geography teacher in a public middle School who he worked in poor suburb north of booed paris shortage of political discussion in this is campaign. Describing himself as a “leftist”, he said he was “very disappointed” by current The French political scene.
Kevin, who Unrecognizable by him last Name because state employees required To be neutral in the future of Elections, he is still hesitant. But in Anyway, he won vote for Macron or Le Pen, considered empty vote a option.
Macron who allocate most of Its time recently for diplomatic talks trying to end the war in Ukraine, seeks to strengthen its short role campaign Before of Sunday voteand conducting several interviews in French media and puts campaign Activities on His schedule is almost every day.
“Friends, I get it: now is the time for packing. It’s time now fight’, he told his supporters on Saturday.
