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French Voters Express Hope, Anger and Frustration French Voters Express Hope, Anger and Frustration
(about 4 hours later)
There is at least one big question hanging over the French presidential elections on Sunday that could affect the outcome: Will supporters of the defeated far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon vote for Marine Le Pen or Emmanuel Macron — or abstain altogether? There was at least one big question hanging over the French presidential elections on Sunday that could’ve affect the outcome: Would supporters of the defeated far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon vote for Marine Le Pen or Emmanuel Macron — or abstain altogether?
“For me, Sunday can have no happy outcome,” said Guillaume Delarue, a 42-year-old French expat in London, about his country’s coming presidential elections. “For me, Sunday can have no happy outcome,” said Guillaume Delarue, a 42-year-old French expat in London, about his country’s presidential elections.
Mr. Delarue, a self-employed programmer, has been a fervent supporter of the far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whose movement, “La France Insoumise,” or “France Unsubdued,” has had harsh words for bankers, the so-called global elite and other forces it sees as the scourge of France. Mr. Delarue, a self-employed programmer, has been a fervent supporter of Mr. Mélenchon, whose movement, “La France Insoumise,” or “France Unsubdued,” has had harsh words for bankers, the so-called global elite and other forces it sees as the scourge of France.
Polls show Ms. Le Pen, the far-right candidate from the National Front, far behind Mr. Macron, the independent centrist. Mr. Mélenchon has refused to endorse Ms. Le Pen but has not exactly embraced Mr. Macron. Polls showed Ms. Le Pen, the far-right candidate from the National Front, far behind Mr. Macron, the independent centrist. Mr. Mélenchon had refused to endorse Ms. Le Pen but has not exactly embraced Mr. Macron.
Ever since then, the votes of Mr. Delarue and his fellow Mélenchon supporters, known as “Insoumis,” have been put under a microscope.Ever since then, the votes of Mr. Delarue and his fellow Mélenchon supporters, known as “Insoumis,” have been put under a microscope.
“There is a lot of pressure coming from the press if you don’t want to help Macron,” he said. “But we don’t care anymore, we’re so detached.”“There is a lot of pressure coming from the press if you don’t want to help Macron,” he said. “But we don’t care anymore, we’re so detached.”
Mr. Delarue joked that if he were 100 percent sure that Ms. Le Pen would lose the election, he “would go fishing on that day.” Mr. Delarue said he made up his mind whom to vote for on the night of April 23, when the results of the first round came out. His choice is below.Mr. Delarue joked that if he were 100 percent sure that Ms. Le Pen would lose the election, he “would go fishing on that day.” Mr. Delarue said he made up his mind whom to vote for on the night of April 23, when the results of the first round came out. His choice is below.
The New York Times asked readers who had posted comments on Facebook about the first round of the election, in which there were 11 candidates, to share their voting intentions for the second round. Many said they planned to reject both candidates, either by abstaining or by casting “blank” votes, a stance that is expected to hurt Mr. Macron’s chances more than Ms. Le Pen’s.The New York Times asked readers who had posted comments on Facebook about the first round of the election, in which there were 11 candidates, to share their voting intentions for the second round. Many said they planned to reject both candidates, either by abstaining or by casting “blank” votes, a stance that is expected to hurt Mr. Macron’s chances more than Ms. Le Pen’s.
Here is a selection of comments, edited for length and clarity.Here is a selection of comments, edited for length and clarity.
Nathan Didine, 18, a student in Montpellier.Nathan Didine, 18, a student in Montpellier.
Stéphanie Laurens, 35, a psychotherapy student in Perpignan and is studying to become a psychotherapist.Stéphanie Laurens, 35, a psychotherapy student in Perpignan and is studying to become a psychotherapist.
Sarah Benamar, 22, a student near Paris, had been debating whether to vote. She plans to stay away from the polls on Sunday.Sarah Benamar, 22, a student near Paris, had been debating whether to vote. She plans to stay away from the polls on Sunday.
Géraldine John, a 23-year-old trainee journalist in Calais, spoke of her relief that the traditional parties were knocked out in the first round.Géraldine John, a 23-year-old trainee journalist in Calais, spoke of her relief that the traditional parties were knocked out in the first round.
Laila Sahnoune, 43, is a home-care nurse in Alès, in the South of France, where the National Front has traditionally done well.Laila Sahnoune, 43, is a home-care nurse in Alès, in the South of France, where the National Front has traditionally done well.
Tiphaine Vanlemmens, 25, who works for a charity in Paris, voted for he far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the first round.Tiphaine Vanlemmens, 25, who works for a charity in Paris, voted for he far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the first round.
Dr. Bruno Greff, 40, who works in Paris said that if Mr. Macron became president, he expected him to continue the current government’s policies. where the previous administration left off.Dr. Bruno Greff, 40, who works in Paris said that if Mr. Macron became president, he expected him to continue the current government’s policies. where the previous administration left off.
Audrey Cartier, 31, works as a community manager in a sports center in Toulon, France. After the first round, she had planned to stay away from the polls, but finally resolved to vote for Mr. Macron in an effort to prevent a Le Pen victory.Audrey Cartier, 31, works as a community manager in a sports center in Toulon, France. After the first round, she had planned to stay away from the polls, but finally resolved to vote for Mr. Macron in an effort to prevent a Le Pen victory.
Simon Pastor, 18, a student who voted in London.Simon Pastor, 18, a student who voted in London.
Guillaume Delarue, a 42-year-old French expat in London who had supported Mr. Mélenchon. He is married to a teacher of French literature in London and has an 11-year-old daughter.Guillaume Delarue, a 42-year-old French expat in London who had supported Mr. Mélenchon. He is married to a teacher of French literature in London and has an 11-year-old daughter.