France is witnessing a significant political and cultural day as the Tour de France coincides with the runoff elections. The ninth stage of the Tour de France began at 1:32 p.m. on Sunday, with the Aube prefecture granting exemptions to several municipalities to adjust polling station hours. For instance, in Celles-sur-Ource, polling stations opened an hour earlier at 7 a.m., allowing residents to vote early and then enjoy the Tour de France. Similarly, Bar-sur-Aube, La Chapelle-Saint-Luc, Montaulin, and Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres extended their closing times to accommodate the event.
On the political front, France is holding runoff elections to determine the final composition of its parliament. Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN) is vying for an absolute majority, while President Emmanuel Macron's party faces a challenging battle. Polls and initial voting results have indicated a tough road ahead for Macron, with his coalition only securing 21 percent in the first round.
The polling stations across France are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with initial forecasts and projections expected in the evening. The official final results are anticipated by Monday morning. The first round saw Marine Le Pen's RN leading with 33.2 percent, followed by the left-wing New Popular Front with 28.1 percent, and Macron's coalition with 21 percent.
Numerous candidates have strategically withdrawn from the runoff elections to consolidate votes against Le Pen. This tactical maneuver aims to weaken the RN's chances of securing an absolute majority, which requires 289 of the 577 seats in parliament. If Le Pen's party achieves this majority, it could significantly hinder Macron's ability to govern, potentially leading to early presidential elections.
