Live/ The French go to the polls for the first round. A “strong participation” is expected

Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, the French ambassador to Portugal, reveals that 20,000 French people are registered to vote in person in these elections. Speaking to reporters at the Liceu Français, where voting is taking place in Lisbon, she anticipates a “high turnout” and estimates that “mobilisation will be greater than in the 2022 elections”.

In addition to Lisbon, French voters in Portugal will also be able to vote in Porto and Vilamoura, the ambassador explains.

“These elections are very important for French democracy, for the future of the country and for the future of Europe,” the ambassador said. “I think that all French people are aware that these elections are very, very important.”

She prefers not to comment on the polls, which predict the advantage of Marine Le Pen’s far right, recalling that, as French ambassador, she is “subject to a duty of confidentiality.”

French territories in other parts of the world, such as New Caledonia, were also called to vote. These South Pacific islands have been the scene of several protests and riots in recent weeks.

Unrest returns to New Caledonia after arrest and transfer of activists

oh The world and the AFP They cite local data showing that turnout increased significantly in this election in this territory, which remains under curfew due to social tension.

Until noon (2 a.m. in Lisbon), an electoral turnout was estimated at 32.39%, compared to 13.06% in the last legislative elections, in 2022, according to data from the High Commission of the Republic of New Caledonia.

In New Caledonia, there are approximately 229,000 inhabitants registered on the electoral roll.

Polls opened at 8 a.m., except for one in Lisbon. There are 49.5 million registered voters who are called to vote in this first round.

A “strong participation” is expected in these elections, say electoral observers cited by the newspaper The world.