The first round of presidential elections has started in France. So far, the current head of state is ahead by a small margin.
According to exit-poll data, Emmanuel Macron won 24.7% of the vote by the evening of April 10.
His main competitor, the leader of the National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, shows a result of 23.5% of the votes, MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
Next are all the other contenders for the top job: Jean-Luc Mélenchon (19%), Valerie Pecresse (8%) and Eric Zemmour (8%).
By the way, French media report that minor incidents occurred at some polling stations.
Let us add that in France the President is elected for five years. If in the first round none of the candidates receives an absolute majority of votes, a second round is held.
Local legislation defines “absolute majority” as 50% plus 1 vote.
The second round, if there is one, is, of course, scheduled for April 24.
According to available information, by 5 p.m. voter turnout was 65%, which is 4.2% less than the previous presidential election.
