Record Turnout in 2023 Legislative Elections
The 2023 legislative elections in France have seen a notable increase in voter participation compared to previous years. As of noon, the participation rate nationally is 25.90%, a significant rise from the 2022 legislative elections where it stood at 18.43% at the same time. In Paris, the participation rate is slightly lower at 25.48%, but still an improvement from previous years.
Importance of Voter Participation
Voter participation is a critical factor in this election, especially given the rules that allow candidates to proceed to the second round if they secure 12.5% of the votes from those registered on the electoral lists. This threshold can be significantly influenced by even a slight increase or decrease in voter turnout. For instance, with a 50% participation rate, a candidate would need 25% of the votes to advance, making voter engagement a pivotal element in shaping the political landscape.
Regional Participation Variations
The participation rate varies significantly across different regions. Aveyron leads with a high turnout of 34.41%, followed closely by Bouches-du-Rhône at 33.70% and Gers at 33.61%. On the other end of the spectrum, areas like Seine-Saint-Denis (17.93%), Val-de-Marne (18.29%), and Hauts-de-Seine (18.47%) have lower participation rates. These variations could lead to different electoral outcomes and highlight the diverse political engagement across France.
- In the 2022 legislative elections, the participation rate in Parisian polling stations at 12 p.m. was only 10.81% in the second round and 12.26% in the first round. This year, the numbers show a marked increase, indicating a heightened interest in the electoral process.
- The participation rate for the European elections three weeks ago was 16% at noon in Paris, and 11.35% in 2019. At the end of the European election, 59.67% of voters in the capital had cast their votes, compared to 57.88% in 2019.
- France has also seen a record number of more than 2 million proxies for this election, with 169,105 Parisians making this request. This indicates a growing trend of voters ensuring their participation through alternative means.
- The results of the first round of legislative elections in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and throughout France will be available on June 30 from 8 p.m. on our dedicated pages.
