Analysts expect the election will confirm that French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party has failed to gain a strong foothold at the local level.
FRENCH LOCAL POLLS. A volunteer wearing a face mask and face shield stands outside the polling station during the second round of the French municipal elections on June 28, 2020 in the French Riviera city of Nice. Photo by Valery Hache/AFP
Despite a record abstention rate of 55 percent, the first round yielded a decisive outcome in some 85 percent, or 30,000, French communes. Analysts expect the election will confirm that Macron's centrist Republic on the Move party – founded by the president ahead of his 2017 election win – has failed to gain a strong foothold at the local level.– notably in Paris where Macron's candidate, former health minister Agnes Buzyn, came third.With a death toll approaching 30,000, France has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
"A new prime minister, probably further to the left, would allow Macron to claim he is delivering on his promise to ensure the 'second act' of his presidency takes note of failings revealed by his handling of the COVID-19 crisis." A poll by Harris Interactive Epoka on Friday showed that 44 percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of Macron but 51 percent were positive on Philippe, a jump of 13 points for the premier in a few months.
Despite an abysmal performance in the last presidential elections, France's Socialists are expected to keep key regional centers, including Paris, where 3 women are vying for the top job.There will also be close attention on the green Europe Ecology – The Greens party, which has its eye on the Alpine hub of Grenoble as well as Strasbourg and Lyon.
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