This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/apr/23/french-election-voting-under-way-in-first-round-live

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
French election: vote heading for nailbiting climax – live French election: first polling stations close as vote heads for cliffhanger – live
(35 minutes later)
6.43pm BST
18:43
Here are the views of some other Guardian readers in France, who voted for Mélenchon and Le Pen.
If you’ve voted in the elections, we’d like you to share your thoughts on the candidates with us and will use some of your comments in our coverage.
Marinou, 46, Normandy, special needs teacher, voted for Mélenchon: He’s a clever, decent man. You can trust him. He speaks for normal people and shows true respect for us. I always voted for left parties. I work in a very deprived part of France I can see how much children suffer from poverty and exclusion.
Clément, 24, Besançon, student, likewise: He is the only serious candidate that puts humanity before economy, democracy before presidency, life before productivity. He is the last serious candidate that seems to actually be from the left.
Clément, 30, Lyon, writer: Mélenchon brought some “joie de vivre” out of us. We have to stand up to Germany and develop relationships with all countries in the EU, such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, and, oddly enough, the UK. Brexit changed everything. We need to speak with everybody to solve our problems.
Jacques, 21, Mulhouse, voted for Le Pen: Le Front National has a vision for my country. The absolute freedom without restrictions and regulations ruined several aspects of French society and economy. France has signed over important sovereign rights. There is too much tolerance to terrorism, lack of independence and self dominion external authorities rule the country. I was usually socialist but in the recent years France has changed dramatically. France is not the country I was born in.
6.31pm BST
18:31
How does France’s system of vote estimates work?
Unlike the exit polls operated in many countries, in which people are asked how they voted, the initial vote estimate in French elections – in use and steadily perfected since 1965 – is based on an actual vote count.
Pollsters select about 200 polling stations around the country, in rural areas, small towns and urban agglomerations, carefully chosen to be as representative as possible of the country as a whole.
When the polling stations close – all are among those that close early, at 7pm – and as the votes are being counted, a polling official records, for a sizeable sample of the ballots, the number of votes for each candidate.
Those numbers are then run through a sophisticated computer program that adjusts them for past results and assorted variables, and produces a national vote estimate. This is not the official result, but nor is it an opinion poll.
It is usually very accurate, to within a percentage point or so – but this being an exceptionally close race, a percentage point may be decisive. So either we will have a reliable result at 7pm, or we won’t.
Updated
at 6.42pm BST
6.15pm BST
18:15
First polling stations close
The first polling stations have now closed, mainly in rural areas, and counting has started. Polling stations in large cities and urban areas will remain open until 8pm CET.
Updated
at 6.17pm BST
6.09pm BST6.09pm BST
18:0918:09
In Nice, Oscar Lopez has found voters seemingly willing to forgive François Fillon his judicial problems. Laura Lili, 27, said the entire campaign was ridiculous – “All they did was attack each other, nobody spoke about their programmmes – but in the end, she opted for the conservative candidate. In Nice, Oscar Lopez has found voters seemingly willing to forgive François Fillon his judicial problems. Laura Lili, 27, said the entire campaign was ridiculous – “All they did was attack each other, nobody spoke about their programmmes” – but in the end, she opted for the conservative candidate.
Fillon’s promise to support French businesses won her over. “Nowadays everything is made overseas,” she said. “All we have are big franchises while French stores shut down. We’re going to hit a crisis.”Fillon’s promise to support French businesses won her over. “Nowadays everything is made overseas,” she said. “All we have are big franchises while French stores shut down. We’re going to hit a crisis.”
And while immigration was a serious concern, Fillon’s promise to stay in the EU was key: “It’s our strength,” she says. As far as the Penelopegate affair, she says “he screwed it up. But everyone’s done that. He’s the best of all of them, for the future of France.”And while immigration was a serious concern, Fillon’s promise to stay in the EU was key: “It’s our strength,” she says. As far as the Penelopegate affair, she says “he screwed it up. But everyone’s done that. He’s the best of all of them, for the future of France.”
Daphne Atlani, 42, was equally disappointed in the campaign. “It was a catastrophe,” she says. “Our real questions were never answered..” In the end, she too chose Fillon. “He has the experience,” she says. “And I don’t care that he paid his wife. They’ve all done that, and anyone in that position would do the same - it’s just human nature.” Daphne Atlani, 42, was equally disappointed in the campaign. “It was a catastrophe,” she says. “Our real questions were never answered.” In the end, she too chose Fillon. “He has the experience,” she says. “And I don’t care that he paid his wife. They’ve all done that, and anyone in that position would do the same – it’s just human nature.”
Atlani was also concerned about France’s economy, and was worried about immigration. But she was wary of the extreme positions taken up by parties like the National Front. “Being represented by Le Pen or Mélenchon, that’s scary,” she says. “I’m very frightened about the results.”Atlani was also concerned about France’s economy, and was worried about immigration. But she was wary of the extreme positions taken up by parties like the National Front. “Being represented by Le Pen or Mélenchon, that’s scary,” she says. “I’m very frightened about the results.”
Updated
at 6.13pm BST
5.59pm BST5.59pm BST
17:5917:59
There have been more twists and turns – and more firsts – in this election campaign than in any other in living memory.There have been more twists and turns – and more firsts – in this election campaign than in any other in living memory.
This is, for example, the first time a sitting first-term president has decided not to run for re-election and the first time a candidate in a major French election has been under formal judicial investigation.This is, for example, the first time a sitting first-term president has decided not to run for re-election and the first time a candidate in a major French election has been under formal judicial investigation.
The twists and turns of France’s strangest ever presidential election https://t.co/9UKdwAJ5XTThe twists and turns of France’s strangest ever presidential election https://t.co/9UKdwAJ5XT
It’s also the first time that there has been a serious risk of neither of the two mainstream centre-right and centre-left parties that have governed France since the war making it through to the second round.It’s also the first time that there has been a serious risk of neither of the two mainstream centre-right and centre-left parties that have governed France since the war making it through to the second round.
Besides François Hollande, other big beasts of French politics – former president Nicolas Sarkozy, former prime minister Alain Juppé – fell at the first hurdle. A victory for Emmanuel Macron would be the first for a candidate without a party.Besides François Hollande, other big beasts of French politics – former president Nicolas Sarkozy, former prime minister Alain Juppé – fell at the first hurdle. A victory for Emmanuel Macron would be the first for a candidate without a party.
And then of course, there was Penelopegate ... Here’s a look back at the twists and turns of this genuinely remarkable campaign.And then of course, there was Penelopegate ... Here’s a look back at the twists and turns of this genuinely remarkable campaign.
5.45pm BST5.45pm BST
17:4517:45
Guardian readers in France have been answering our request for their views on the election, and why they chose to vote for a particular candidate.Guardian readers in France have been answering our request for their views on the election, and why they chose to vote for a particular candidate.
Here are some who have opted for the centrist Emmanuel Macron; we will feature the views of other candidates’ supporters through the evening:Here are some who have opted for the centrist Emmanuel Macron; we will feature the views of other candidates’ supporters through the evening:
Pascal, 62, Paris Macron is young, smart and is not tightly tied to the organisations of big political parties. He seems able to achieve a good balance between pragmatism and fidelity to principles from the traditional left.Pascal, 62, Paris Macron is young, smart and is not tightly tied to the organisations of big political parties. He seems able to achieve a good balance between pragmatism and fidelity to principles from the traditional left.
René, 48, Versailles, police officer It’s more a default choice. I don’t want an extremist in charge, nor a corrupt Fillon. I hope that Macron will take some measures to make the country go forward instead of living in fear.René, 48, Versailles, police officer It’s more a default choice. I don’t want an extremist in charge, nor a corrupt Fillon. I hope that Macron will take some measures to make the country go forward instead of living in fear.
Jacques-Henri, 54, Paris, restaurateur It’s high time to move on, with new faces and a new attitude. Macron is the only true pro-European candidate. He wants to change our country with people notwithstanding where they come from. He expects results and facts.Jacques-Henri, 54, Paris, restaurateur It’s high time to move on, with new faces and a new attitude. Macron is the only true pro-European candidate. He wants to change our country with people notwithstanding where they come from. He expects results and facts.
Guillaume, 36, Dordogne, web designer I am not convinced he’ll be a great president, but I am convinced the other three would be a disaster. Mélenchon and Le Pen both crave the death of the EU and are blind to the damage it would do to France and the wider world.Guillaume, 36, Dordogne, web designer I am not convinced he’ll be a great president, but I am convinced the other three would be a disaster. Mélenchon and Le Pen both crave the death of the EU and are blind to the damage it would do to France and the wider world.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.52pm BSTat 5.52pm BST
5.22pm BST5.22pm BST
17:2217:22
Since you’re here …… we’ve got a small favour to ask. More people are reading the Guardian than ever, but far fewer are paying for it. Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can.Since you’re here …… we’ve got a small favour to ask. More people are reading the Guardian than ever, but far fewer are paying for it. Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can.
So you can see why we need to ask for your help. The Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.So you can see why we need to ask for your help. The Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps to support it, our future would be much more secure. You can give to the Guardian by becoming a monthly supporter or by making a one-off contribution.If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps to support it, our future would be much more secure. You can give to the Guardian by becoming a monthly supporter or by making a one-off contribution.
5.19pm BST5.19pm BST
17:1917:19
France’s 2017 presidential election has been one of the tightest and least predictable in generations. After the final set of opinion polls on Friday, of four candidates leading the first round any two could conceivably make it to the runoff.France’s 2017 presidential election has been one of the tightest and least predictable in generations. After the final set of opinion polls on Friday, of four candidates leading the first round any two could conceivably make it to the runoff.
What’s more, up to 25% of voters were estimated to be undecided on the eve of the vote. No one, in short, should be under any illusions: anything could yet happen.What’s more, up to 25% of voters were estimated to be undecided on the eve of the vote. No one, in short, should be under any illusions: anything could yet happen.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.24pm BSTat 5.24pm BST
5.03pm BST5.03pm BST
17:0317:03
In Paris, meanwhile, some voters lamented the difficulty of the decision – while others said what mattered most was the candidates’ personality …In Paris, meanwhile, some voters lamented the difficulty of the decision – while others said what mattered most was the candidates’ personality …
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.16pm BSTat 5.16pm BST
4.54pm BST4.54pm BST
16:5416:54
In Nice, scene of the truck attack that left 86 people dead last July, security was at the front of many minds, reports Oscar Lopez – particularly following Thursday’s killing of a policeman on the Champs Elysées, an attack claimed by Islamic State.In Nice, scene of the truck attack that left 86 people dead last July, security was at the front of many minds, reports Oscar Lopez – particularly following Thursday’s killing of a policeman on the Champs Elysées, an attack claimed by Islamic State.
“It’s not normal, all those army guys patrolling the streets,” said Richard, 63, who did not want to give his last name. “It’s scary. The Islamists need to be stopped.”“It’s not normal, all those army guys patrolling the streets,” said Richard, 63, who did not want to give his last name. “It’s scary. The Islamists need to be stopped.”
Richard, who is Armenian, had come from church to vote. “There was nobody there,” he says. “People have lost their beliefs. Islam gives them something to believe in.”Richard, who is Armenian, had come from church to vote. “There was nobody there,” he says. “People have lost their beliefs. Islam gives them something to believe in.”
When it came to the campaign, he says it was “Awful. All blah blah blah.” He had, however, chosen a candidate. “I’m voting right, but not Fillon,” he says – then, after a brief pause, “I’m voting for a lady.”When it came to the campaign, he says it was “Awful. All blah blah blah.” He had, however, chosen a candidate. “I’m voting right, but not Fillon,” he says – then, after a brief pause, “I’m voting for a lady.”
For Nelly Laforge, 60, it was the conservative Fillon’s stance on national security that had won her vote. “We’ve survived many attacks,” she says. “It’s scary. I have to go to Paris on Monday and I’m worried about being on public transport.”For Nelly Laforge, 60, it was the conservative Fillon’s stance on national security that had won her vote. “We’ve survived many attacks,” she says. “It’s scary. I have to go to Paris on Monday and I’m worried about being on public transport.”
She was also concerned that, after the attacks in Paris on Thursday, even more people would turn to Le Pen. The fake job scandal that engulfed Fillon did not bother her.She was also concerned that, after the attacks in Paris on Thursday, even more people would turn to Le Pen. The fake job scandal that engulfed Fillon did not bother her.
“All politicians have done the same thing,” she says. “He has experience. He’s presidential.” Still, if Fillon doesn’t make it past the first round, she said she’d be willing to support Macron: “People are tired of left-right politics.”“All politicians have done the same thing,” she says. “He has experience. He’s presidential.” Still, if Fillon doesn’t make it past the first round, she said she’d be willing to support Macron: “People are tired of left-right politics.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.09pm BSTat 5.09pm BST
4.40pm BST4.40pm BST
16:4016:40
Time to spare as the clock ticks down to 8pm CET, the earliest we can expect any meaningful early results? (Even then, they will not be definitive – and the contest could simply be too close to call until later …)Time to spare as the clock ticks down to 8pm CET, the earliest we can expect any meaningful early results? (Even then, they will not be definitive – and the contest could simply be too close to call until later …)
If you want an insight into what drives some of Marine Le Pen’s voters, I thoroughly recommend my colleague Angelique Chrisafis’s revealing voyage into the heart of rural Burgundy, once a heartland of the left and now home to a lot of angry people …If you want an insight into what drives some of Marine Le Pen’s voters, I thoroughly recommend my colleague Angelique Chrisafis’s revealing voyage into the heart of rural Burgundy, once a heartland of the left and now home to a lot of angry people …
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.48pm BSTat 4.48pm BST
4.32pm BST4.32pm BST
16:3216:32
One of those polling institutes – Ifop – has, however, published an estimate of what it thinks the final turnout will be. It’s high, but not an absolute record:One of those polling institutes – Ifop – has, however, published an estimate of what it thinks the final turnout will be. It’s high, but not an absolute record:
A 17h05, le taux de participation est estimé à 81% #Presidentielle2017 #participation pic.twitter.com/iShL3s0t2GA 17h05, le taux de participation est estimé à 81% #Presidentielle2017 #participation pic.twitter.com/iShL3s0t2G
A high turnout, of course, may not be an indication of anything in particular in this highly unusual election: in 2002, a record 28% abstention rate was widely seen as helping Jean-Marie Le Pen. This time, a low abstention rate could be partly down to the determination of his daughter’s voters.A high turnout, of course, may not be an indication of anything in particular in this highly unusual election: in 2002, a record 28% abstention rate was widely seen as helping Jean-Marie Le Pen. This time, a low abstention rate could be partly down to the determination of his daughter’s voters.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.38pm BSTat 4.38pm BST
4.22pm BST4.22pm BST
16:2216:22
Belgian media have published what they say is an initial first-round exit poll putting the independent centrist Macron ahead of the Front National leader Le Pen. No one is clear where this poll could have come from and French media are advising it should be treated with extreme caution.Belgian media have published what they say is an initial first-round exit poll putting the independent centrist Macron ahead of the Front National leader Le Pen. No one is clear where this poll could have come from and French media are advising it should be treated with extreme caution.
The nine main polling institutes active in France during the campaign – BVA, Elabe, Harris Interactive, Ifop, Ipsos, Kantar, Odoxa, OpinionWay and Viavoice – all undertook not to carry out any exit polls on voting day.The nine main polling institutes active in France during the campaign – BVA, Elabe, Harris Interactive, Ifop, Ipsos, Kantar, Odoxa, OpinionWay and Viavoice – all undertook not to carry out any exit polls on voting day.
The French polling commission had this to say on the matter on its website:The French polling commission had this to say on the matter on its website:
As a result, any reference on the day of the vote to any such poll can only be the fruit of rumours or manipulations and should be accorded no credit whatsoever.As a result, any reference on the day of the vote to any such poll can only be the fruit of rumours or manipulations and should be accorded no credit whatsoever.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.37pm BSTat 4.37pm BST
4.11pm BST4.11pm BST
16:1116:11
The French interior minister has just announced the turnout at 5pm French time. At 69.42%, it was slightly down on the previous election in 2012 but considerably up on 2002, when a high abstention rate was thought to have contributed to the shock first-round breakthrough by Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine’s father.The French interior minister has just announced the turnout at 5pm French time. At 69.42%, it was slightly down on the previous election in 2012 but considerably up on 2002, when a high abstention rate was thought to have contributed to the shock first-round breakthrough by Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine’s father.
[#ElectionPrésidentielle2017] 69,42 % : taux de participation pour la France métropolitaine au 1er tour à 17 h contre 70,59 % en 2012 pic.twitter.com/uC2rI9mmnq[#ElectionPrésidentielle2017] 69,42 % : taux de participation pour la France métropolitaine au 1er tour à 17 h contre 70,59 % en 2012 pic.twitter.com/uC2rI9mmnq
Many observers believe turnout could again be critical in this election, as could the large number of undecided voters – up to 25% were estimated to be not sure how they would cast their ballot on the eve of the poll.Many observers believe turnout could again be critical in this election, as could the large number of undecided voters – up to 25% were estimated to be not sure how they would cast their ballot on the eve of the poll.
4.03pm BST4.03pm BST
16:0316:03
Welcome to what could be a nailbiting night ...Welcome to what could be a nailbiting night ...
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the first round of voting in France’s presidential election – a crucial but unpredictable contest whose outcome could have far-reaching consequences for both a deeply divided country and the beleaguered European Union.Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the first round of voting in France’s presidential election – a crucial but unpredictable contest whose outcome could have far-reaching consequences for both a deeply divided country and the beleaguered European Union.
Polls opened at 8am CET on Sunday and will close at 7pm or, in some urban areas, 8pm. Usually accurate initial results, based on an actual count of votes in several hundred representative polling stations around the country, will be known soon after.Polls opened at 8am CET on Sunday and will close at 7pm or, in some urban areas, 8pm. Usually accurate initial results, based on an actual count of votes in several hundred representative polling stations around the country, will be known soon after.
But this is an exceptionally tight race. Any two of the four leading candidates – independent centrist Emmanuel Macron, far-right, anti-EU leader Marine Le Pen, scandal-hit conservative François Fillon and far-left veteran Jean-Luc Mélenchon – could go through to the second round run-off on 7 May.But this is an exceptionally tight race. Any two of the four leading candidates – independent centrist Emmanuel Macron, far-right, anti-EU leader Marine Le Pen, scandal-hit conservative François Fillon and far-left veteran Jean-Luc Mélenchon – could go through to the second round run-off on 7 May.
We will be keeping you up to date with all the latest developments as France’s 47 million voters begin the process of choosing their next president. You can read a brief guide to the candidates here, and a more comprehensive all-you-need-to-know here.We will be keeping you up to date with all the latest developments as France’s 47 million voters begin the process of choosing their next president. You can read a brief guide to the candidates here, and a more comprehensive all-you-need-to-know here.
Our French correspondents Angelique Chrisafis and Kim Willsher will be bringing you news and insights from the ground throughout the evening. Follow them on Twitter at @achrisafis and @kimwillsher1.Our French correspondents Angelique Chrisafis and Kim Willsher will be bringing you news and insights from the ground throughout the evening. Follow them on Twitter at @achrisafis and @kimwillsher1.
You can contact me with comments, questions or tips at @jonhenley or by email at jon.henley@theguardian.com – although I can’t promise to have time to read or respond to all. Here we go, then – it could be an exciting ride.You can contact me with comments, questions or tips at @jonhenley or by email at jon.henley@theguardian.com – although I can’t promise to have time to read or respond to all. Here we go, then – it could be an exciting ride.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.47pm BSTat 4.47pm BST