The new election in France

Turnout looks set to be high: "Needs change"

Turnout in the second round of the French parliamentary election looks set to be high, French media reports. By lunchtime, over 26 percent of eligible voters had voted, the highest figure at that time in 43 years.

In the 2022 election, the figure at the same time of the day was below 19 percent, according to France24.

One, however, who does not intend to vote is Hicham, born and raised in France but with Moroccan roots.

- I feel that this year's election is a referendum to find out if you want people like us or not, he says to Ekot's reporter.

The Echo has also spoken to Nathalie, who intends to vote and who will possibly cast her vote for the far-right party Nartionell samling.

- The country needs a change, she says.

A preliminary election result is expected at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening.

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Paris prepares for violence: "Very possible with riots"

In central Paris, several shops have large records outside their shop windows during Sunday, reports Le Figaro. The traders have prepared that any demonstrations in connection with the results of the election being presented during the evening could derail into violence, something the police have warned against.

- We have been told that it is very possible that there will be a fight, says a security guard at a store.

A nearby shop owner says he has been instructed to close an hour earlier than usual, for safety reasons.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanins has also warned in advance of violence. A total of 30,000 police officers have been mobilized to maintain order in the country during election day. 5,000 of them are in Paris and its suburbs.

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No one goes for a majority when the French election is decided

At 08:00 the polling stations opened in France in the second round of the new election that could give the country a completely new political direction. However, according to several media outlets, most opinion polls point to no party getting its own majority.

The far-right party National Gathering looks set to be the largest. However, the party appears to be quite a long way from the majority that party leader Jordan Bardella dreams of, writes AFP.

Nor does the left-wing alliance look like it will get a majority, which means that there are many indications that a parliamentary situation that makes the country difficult to govern awaits.

President Macron's party group appears to be going from being the largest to being the smallest in parliament, Ekot reports.

A preliminary result is expected at 20.00.