The heat affected the activity of the French during parliamentary elections
PARIS, June 18. /Offset. TASS Arina Lebedev/. Hot weather, steady in France at the weekend, was reflected in the activity of citizens during the second round of elections to the National Assembly — the lower house of Parliament. Political analysts believe that voter turnout could be the lowest in the history of the country.
According to weather service Meteo France, the decisive round of parliamentary elections was one of the hottest days in the last week. In the morning the temperature was at around 27-28 degrees, and by 14:00 local time (15:00 GMT), it has risen to 30.
“Despite the heat, we still decided to fulfill his civic duty. For us these elections are extremely important. Although many of my colleagues decided to wait this hot day outside the city, on the beaches,” said TASS, the employee of a major French company Gilles, who came to the area in the street, Claire, in the VII district of Paris.
The low activity of the citizens is confirmed by the interior Ministry. According to a law enforcement Agency, to 12:00 (13:00 MSK) in the second round vote total of 17.75% of the vote, whereas in 2012 the figure was 21,41%.
“Voters are coming to us in the morning. In General, the process of expression takes place without excitement. It is not excluded that by the evening the number of people wishing to vote will increase,” — noted in conversation with the correspondent. TASS member of the electoral Commission at the precinct in district VI Patrick Blanche.
Increased security measures
The vote takes place quietly, but with heightened security. According to BFM TV, no major accidents to date were recorded.
The TV channel reminds that elections are carried out in conditions of a state of emergency that was imposed in the country after the terrorist attacks in 2015. According to the interior Ministry, the protection order has attracted more than 50 thousand policemen and gendarmes. In addition, patrolling the streets involved about 7 thousand soldiers in the framework of operation “Sentinel”.
According to local media, at the polling stations of Paris, the calm is prevailing. How can verify the offset. TASS, the security measures are reinforced in many of them. So, in the VII district at polling stations are on duty police officers, which, if necessary, inspect incoming with the help of metal detectors.
Parliamentary elections
National Assembly elections in France are held in two rounds under majoritarian system. In the final round fight 1146 deputies representing different parties and electoral blocks.
08:00 (09:00 GMT) in the European territory of the country has 67 thousand polling stations; voting in overseas territories were held on Saturday. Most of the items will be open until 19:00 (20:00 GMT). The last sites located in the largest cities, will close its doors at 20:00 (21:00 GMT). Only then will public the first preliminary results of the voting: up to this point the publication of such data in France is prohibited by law.
The only official information that manifests in parallel with the voting information on turnout. The relevant data of the interior Ministry of the Republic publishes twice: at noon (13:00 GMT) and 17:00 (18:00 GMT).