News Desk :
Voting was under way in France for the high-stakes, second-round parliamentary election with a surge in support for the left-wing alliance threatening recently re-elected President Emmanuel Macron’s hopes for an outright majority.
Macron is facing a challenge from NUPES, a new left-wing alliance led by former Socialist Jean-Luc Melenchon. The rejuvenated left is putting up a fight as rampant inflation drives up the cost of living and sends shockwaves through the French political landscape.
In the first round of voting last Sunday, the two sides were neck-and-neck with about 26 percent. In the second round, the initial field of candidates in nearly all 577 constituencies has been whittled down to two contestants who go head-to-head, reports Al Jazeera and news agencies.
Macron’s coalition hopes to win an outright majority of 289 seats to carry out tough reforms.
Turnout was at 38.11 percent at 15:00 GMT, the interior ministry said on Sunday. The figure was down on the 39.42 percent recorded in the first round on June 12 at the same stage, although up on the 35.33 percent recorded in 2017.
Analysts say the turnout is crucial to whether a new left-wing alliance can pose a serious threat to Macron’s majority. Forecasters suggest participation will remain below 50 percent by the time all polling stations close at 8pm (18:00 GMT).
Opinion polls predict Macron’s Ensemble (Together) coalition of centrist and centre-right parties will end up with the biggest number of seats, but say it is in no way guaranteed to reach the threshold for an absolute majority.
