Saudi deputy FM meets Sudan's Sovereign Council chief in Port Sudan    Kuwait, India to elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership Sheikh Mishal awards Mubarak Al-Kabir Medal to Modi    MoH to penalize 5 health practitioners for professional violations    Al-Samaani: Saudi Arabia to work soon on a comprehensive review of the legal system    Environment minister inaugurates Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal    Germany's attack suspect reportedly offered reward to target Saudi ambassador    U.S. Navy jet shot down in 'friendly fire' incident over Red Sea    Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 20 people, including five children    Trudeau's leadership under threat as NDP withdraws support, no-confidence vote looms    Arabian Gulf Cup begins with dramatic draws and a breathtaking ceremony in Kuwait    GACA report: 928 complaints filed by passengers against airlines in November    Riyadh Season 5 draws record number of over 12 million visitors    Fury vs. Usyk: Anticipation builds ahead of Riyadh's boxing showdown    Saudi Arabia to compete in 2025 and 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments    Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Oscars buzz for playing 'difficult' woman    PDC collaboration with MEDLOG Saudi to introduce new cold storage facilities in King Abdullah Port Investment of SR300 million to enhance logistics capabilities in Saudi Arabia    Al Shabab announces departure of coach Vítor Pereira    My kids saw my pain on set, says Angelina Jolie    Legendary Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73    Eminem sets Riyadh ablaze with unforgettable debut at MDLBEAST Soundstorm    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Voting underway in crucial French elections
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 07 - 07 - 2024

Voting is currently underway across mainland France on Sunday in decisive runoff elections that could mark a historic victory for Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally and its inward-looking, anti-immigrant agenda — or result in a hung parliament and political deadlock.
French President Emmanuel Macron took a significant risk by dissolving parliament and calling for these elections after his centrist party suffered heavy losses in the June 9 European elections.
These snap elections in France, a nuclear-armed nation, will impact the Ukraine conflict, global diplomacy, and Europe's economic stability, likely undermining Macron's presidency for the next three years.
The first round on June 30 saw unprecedented gains for the anti-immigration, nationalist National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen.
Over 49 million people are eligible to vote in these elections, determining which party will control the 577-seat National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament, and who will serve as prime minister. If Macron's centrist majority continues to weaken, he may be compelled to share power with parties opposed to his pro-business, pro-European Union policies.
Voters at a Paris polling station expressed awareness of the far-reaching implications for France and beyond.
Racism, antisemitism, and Russian cyber campaigns have marred the electoral campaign, with more than 50 candidates reporting physical attacks — an unusual occurrence in France. The government has deployed 30,000 police officers on voting day.
These heightened tensions coincide with France celebrating a unique summer, hosting the ambitious Olympic Games in Paris, seeing its national soccer team reach the Euro 2024 semifinals, and the Tour de France sweeping through the nation alongside the Olympic torch.
As of noon local time, turnout stood at 26.63%, according to France's Interior Ministry, slightly up from 25.90% during the first round last Sunday. The first round saw the highest turnout since 1997, ending nearly three decades of voter apathy for legislative elections.
Macron cast his ballot in the seaside town of La Touquet with his wife Brigitte, while Prime Minister Gabriel Attal voted earlier in the Paris suburb of Vanves.
Le Pen did not vote as her district in northern France did not hold a second round after her outright win last week. Across France, 76 other candidates secured seats in the first round, including 39 from her National Rally and 32 from the leftist New Popular Front alliance. Two candidates from Macron's centrist list also won seats in the first round.
Polling stations close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) in mainland France and Corsica. Initial projections are expected Sunday night, with official results anticipated late Sunday and early Monday.
Polls between the two rounds suggest that while the National Rally may win the most seats, it may fall short of the 289 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly. This outcome would still be historic if a party historically linked to xenophobia and Holocaust denial emerges as France's largest political force.
In the event of a majority win by the National Rally, Macron would be compelled to share power with a prime minister who fundamentally disagrees with his policies, known in France as "cohabitation."
Another scenario is a hung parliament, prompting Macron to negotiate a coalition with the center-left or form a technocratic government.
Regardless of the outcome, Macron has pledged not to resign and will continue as president until his term ends in 2027.
Many French voters, especially in rural areas, are disillusioned with low incomes and perceive Parisian leadership as elitist and disconnected. The National Rally has resonated with these voters by blaming immigration for France's challenges, gaining broad support over the past decade. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.