Many had not voted in the first round of the presidential election in France, but are mobilizing for the second: French in North America are voting as of today, a day earlier than in their home country.
More than 130,000 French are registered to vote in the US and just over 100,000 in Canada.In the first round, in the constituency of Washington, which includes five US states as well as the nation's capital, the turnout was about 30%.
Two weeks ago, Christine Poliot, 65, did not go to vote, as many people interviewed by Agence France-Presse in front of the French embassy this morning.
The issue, says this educator, who has lived in Baltimore for 35 years, was the crowd of candidates, whom she did not "really know" at the time, in an election campaign that was difficult to "follow" because of the distance.
But she considers voting in the second round to be "very important, a way to feel connected to France."
"Even if we are absent, we feel it concerns us," assures Rashina Bouquezia, 42, who went to vote with one of her two daughters. "I am counting on them to return to France, so I would like their future to be in good hands," explains the International Monetary Fund economist, who has been living in the US for eight years.
58% of voters here voted for Emmanuel Macron, two weeks ago, compared to less than 3% for Marine Le Pen. Second place was held by either Jean-Luc Mélenchon or Eric Jemour.
In France, voters will vote tomorrow and the winner will be announced at 20.00 local time.
Source: APM
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