French voters undecided with days to presidential vote

PARIS / ANKARA

A major slice of French voters appear still to have not made up their mind on whom they want to see as the country's next leader, even with just days left to the next presidential election.

In the first round of the election to take place on Sunday, voters will cast their ballots in favor of one of the 12 candidates running for the next five-year term in office, including the incumbent President Emmanuel Macron.

If none of the candidates can cross the 50% mark, then the two with the most votes will compete in a runoff scheduled for April 24.

Among the contenders, Valerie Pecresse of the center-right Republicans, as well as far-right candidates Marine Le Pen of the National Rally (RN) party and Eric Zemmour of the Reconquest party, stand out.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of France Unbowed party, is viewed as the strongest among the left-wing candidates.

Under shadow of suppression against Muslims

Amid the rise of the French far-right, Macron's administration has been accused of Islamophobia and targeting Muslims with recent laws it enacted.

In the past months, many mosques as well as Muslim associations and schools in the country have been shut down under a controversial law on "reinforcing republican principles."

Critics in the international community and rights groups say Macron's France is gradually moving away from setting an example of rights and justice.

Foreign and local media also shined a light on Islamophobia in France with coverage of Muslims quietly leaving the country, fleeing the oppressive policies against them due to their religion.

Restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the economic difficulties that it entailed, will also be among the major issues that will determine the outcome of the election.

With just days to the first round of voting, Anadolu Agency asked the opinions of voters in the French capital, Paris, on the election.

No expectation of change

Philippa Glorian, who works at a flower shop in Paris, said she did not expect much from any of the candidates.

Many believe that when the president changes, society will also change in just five years, Glorian said, adding that the election would not bring much change.

Glorian also said she has not decided yet on who to vote for.

'I no longer believe in politicians who rule us'

Ghizlane Kaghat, a French woman of Moroccan origin, also said her expectations are low and that no candidate has yet convinced her to vote for them.

Kaghat, who does not intend to vote, said: "I no longer believe in the politicians who rule us."

Arthur Porta Desol, who works as a colorist in the atelier where luxury shoes are painted and patterns are drawn, also said he has not made a final decision on which of the candidates would get his vote.

Desol said he intends to make a random choice among the candidates if he goes to the polls.

Hope for a new name to win

Unlike the others, Astrit Repage, a painter in Paris for more than 20 years, said he will vote.

Hoping for a new name to win the election, Repage, nicknamed "Mario," said that after the election is done, many expect less restrictions on freedoms.

For his part, computer science student Selim Bouirig pointed out that gasoline prices and taxes in France were gradually rising, expressing his hope for change through the election.

Bouirig said that he does not plan to go to the polls, and that if he does cast a ballot, it would be for the left-wing Melenchon.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan