The polls open in France for the election of the ninth president of the Republic. In the second round, a choice is made between the outgoing Emmanuel Macron and the far-right challenger Marine Le Pen.
A battle probably at the last vote even if the concern for abstention weighs heavily. At 12 o'clock the turnout was 26.41%, two points less than in 2017 but one point more than two weeks ago.
In the latest polls Macron appears ahead, as anticipated by the result of the first day two weeks ago: in the first round he had obtained 27.8 percent, Le Pen 23.1. In third place the "tribune" of the radical left of France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, with 22% of the votes.
The polls released yesterday hypothesize an abstention that for the ballot would be record, between 25 and 30 percent.
Macron concluded his campaign in the south, in Figeac, Le Pen in his stronghold in the north, the Pas-de-Calais.
On Wednesday night's televised face -off, a clear majority - 59% versus 39% - said they liked Macron more than Le Pen. Voting takes place until 8pm in big cities, 6pm or 7pm in smaller towns.
(Unioneonline / ss)