Rabat – According to initial estimations from Ipsos/Sopra Teria for France Televisions, abstentions at France’s regional 2021 round of elections are the highest in the country’s record (between 66.1% and 68,6%), representing an increase of 16 points compared to the 2015 elections.
Ipsos/Sopra Teria is a french survey company that, among other services, is officially tasked with counting the turnout rate at the ballot boxes in elections.
The data also revealed that Grand Est registered the highest rate of abstentions from voting, attaining 70.8%, followed by Les Pays de la Loire (69.8%) and Centre-Val de Loire (67%).
The rate of abstention at the elections has been steadily increasing over the years in regional and departmental elections.
The low turnout rates indicate French society’s lack of interest in regional elections and politics in general. According to a survey conducted by Ipsos/Sopra Steria and titled “Understanding French people’s vote,” 39% of the surveyed responded that they might not vote on Sunday, saying that the “elections will not change anything in their daily lives.”
The low turnout rate could also be attributed to the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has altered everyday activities for people.
However, according to Political scientist Remi Lefebre, the low turnout has little to do with the current health emergency of COVID-19 and is rather indicative of “a democratic malaise.”
“Only one election interests people to the point of hysteria: the presidential,” he told Franceinfo, hinting at the upcoming presidential election set to take place in April 2022.
Prime Minister Jean Castex expressed his discontent with the low turnout of voters at the regional elections.
“To abstain from voting is to undermine democracy. We all have to combat abstention collectively. This is not a formula but a republican demand. So today, I make a solemn appeal to all our citizens, to all of you, Next Sunday vote !” Castex wrote on Twitter.
France expected around 47.5 million citizens at the polls for the regional elections to determine the presidents of the 12 metropolitan regions and appoint their regional advisors.
The regionals would have also helped gauge the popular appeal of France’s political parties in the run-up to the presidential elections.
According to estimates of polling agencies, the right, represented by the Republicans (LR), garnered 28,4% of the vote in this first round, positioning itself as the leading political party at the national level in France.
The infamous and Marine Le Pen-led far-right party National rally (RN) registered 19.3% of the vote.
Initial estimates indicate that right-wing parties are gaining momentum ahead of the next presidential election. According to L’Observateur, this trend could mean that the scenario of Marie Le Pen from the extreme right and overtly islamophobic party, taking over as president of the republic, appears to be more plausible than ever. However, the low turnout rate indicates this is yet to be determined in the upcoming presidential elections.
