European Elections Kick Off Across Italy and France
The battle for seats in the European Parliament has begun, with polling stations opening today in Italy and select locations in France. Italian voters will determine the 76 Italian members of the European Parliament, with polls open today until 11 PM and tomorrow from 7 AM to 11 PM. Concurrently, administrative elections are also taking place in Italy, involving 3,698 municipalities and the Piedmont region, with a potential run-off round set for June 23rd and 24th.
In total, more than 51 million Italians are expected to cast their votes for the European elections, while over 17 million will participate in local elections. Specific to the Piedmont region, about 3.6 million voters will be involved.
France Begins Early Voting in Overseas Territories
One day ahead of mainland France, French voters in the Caribbean and American continents are heading to the polls. Precincts in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, French Polynesia, and parts of the American continent have already opened. New Caledonia will follow suit at the end of the day in France, under a tense atmosphere due to recent unrest.
The political landscape in France is dominated by Marine Le Pen's National Rally, with an Ipsos poll indicating 32% voting intentions in her favor. Closely trailing are Valérie Hayer from the Renaissance list with 15.5%, Raphaël Glucksmann from PS-Place Publique at 13.5%, Manon Aubry from LFI with 9%, and François-Xavier Bellamy from Les Républicains at 7%. The majority of French citizens in mainland France will vote on Sunday, with results expected by 8 PM. In 2019, voter participation was recorded at 50.1%.
This election is also viewed as a significant political test for President Emmanuel Macron mid-term. Macron has faced criticism from opposition parties who accuse him of leveraging media coverage through international engagements, including commemorations and state visits with leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and American President Joe Biden.
- These elections are crucial as they are happening almost simultaneously in all 27 EU countries. The outcomes will shape the future composition of the European Parliament and influence the subsequent political climate within the union.
- Political analysts are keeping a close watch on voter turnout as a critical indicator of public sentiment and engagement.
