MOSCOW, Apr 10Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen are in the lead in the first round of the presidential elections in France, gaining 24% each, the Belgian newspaper LaLibre reported, citing the publication's first exit poll. Mélenchon with 19% of the vote. Then come the centrist Republican Party candidate Valerie Pecresse and the extreme rightist Eric Zemmour, each of whom received 8% of the votes of the French who came to the polls. The French elect the head of state for a five-year term. In the event that none of the candidates receives an absolute majority (50% plus one vote) in the first round, a second one will be held. It is scheduled for April 24. As of 17:00 local time, the turnout was 65%, which is 4.2% less than in the previous elections.First round of the presidential election in France
The first round is held in France on Sunday presidential elections, 12 candidates are running for the highest state post.
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The first round of the presidential election is taking place in France on Sunday, with 12 candidates running for the highest government post.
The French will have to elect a head of state for a five-year term.
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The French will have to elect a head of state for a five-year term.
If no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round, a second one will be held. In the history of the Fifth Republic, not a single presidential election was held in one round.
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If in the first round no candidate wins an absolute majority, a second one will be held. In the history of the Fifth Republic, not a single presidential election was held in one round.
According to polls, Emmanuel Macron and the leader of the far-right party "National Rally" Marine Le Pen.
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According to polls, Emmanuel Macron has the best chance of reaching the second round and leader of the far-right party "National Rally" Marine Le Pen.
At the same time, a number of experts believe that the outcome of the first round is not at all predetermined, given that, according to polls, 29% of the French said a few days before the elections that they would go to vote, but had not yet decided who they would support.
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At the same time, a number of experts believe that the outcome of the first round is not at all predetermined, given that, according to polls, 29% of the French a few days before the election said they would go to vote, but have not yet decided who they will support.
Turnout may also affect the results of the first round. Political scientists fear that it could be a record low.
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Turnout may also affect the results of the first round. Political scientists fear that it could be a record low.
The candidate from the "Socialists" Anne Hidalgo.
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The "Socialists" candidate cast her first vote in Paris ; Anne Hidalgo.
Far-left leader "Unruly France" Jean-Luc Mélenchon stood in line among other voters to cast his vote and had a brief chat with the French who were at the polling station at the time.
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The leader of the extreme left party "Unruly France" Jean-Luc Mélenchon stood in line among other voters to cast his vote, and briefly spoke with the French, who were at the polling station at that time.
Voting for far-right French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour took place in front of a large crowd of journalists.
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The voting of far-right French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour took place in front of a large crowd of journalists.
Toward noon, large queues of those wishing to vote lined up at various polling stations.
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Toward noon, large queues of people wishing to vote lined up at various polling stations.
Before entering the polling station, Marine Le Pen took pictures and interacted with voters for a while.
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Before entering the polling station, Marine Le Pen took some pictures and interacted with voters.
Macron was the last candidate to vote in the first round.
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Macron was the last candidate to vote in the first round.
Polling stations will be open throughout France from 8.00 to 19.00, some municipalities may close them later at 20.00.
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Polling stations will be open throughout France from 8.00 to 19.00, some municipalities may close them later — at 20.00.
After the polling stations close, exit poll data and preliminary voting results will be made public. Until then, their publication is prohibited.
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After the polls are closed, exit poll data and preliminary results will be made public voting. Until that time, their publication is prohibited.
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On Sunday, the first round of presidential elections is held in France, 12 candidates are running for the highest state post.
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The French will have to elect a head of state for a five-year term.
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If no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round, there will be held the second. In the history of the Fifth Republic, not a single presidential election was held in one round.
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According to polls, Emmanuel Macron and the leader of the far-right party "National Rally" Marine Le Pen.
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At the same time, a number of experts believe that the outcome of the first round is not at all predetermined, given that, according to polls, 29% of the French said a few days before the elections, that they will go to vote, but have not yet decided who they will support.
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Turnout may also affect the results of the first round. Political scientists fear that it could be a record low.
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The candidate from the "Socialists" Anne Hidalgo.
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Leader of the extreme left party "Unruly France" Jean-Luc Mélenchon stood in line among other voters to cast his vote and had a brief conversation with the French who were at the polling station at the time.
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French far-right presidential candidate voting Erika Zemmura passed with a large crowd of journalists.
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Towards noon, large queues of people wishing to vote lined up at various polling stations.
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Before entering to the polling station, Marine Le Pen was photographed and interacted with voters for some time.
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Macron was the last candidate to vote in the first round.
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Polling stations will be open throughout France from 8.00 to 19.00, some municipalities may close them later at 20.00.
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After closing polling stations, exit poll data and preliminary voting results will be made public. Until that time, their publication is prohibited.