Voters in France share their thoughts as the country takes to the polls for municipal elections скачать в хорошем качестве

Voters in France share their thoughts as the country takes to the polls for municipal elections

(15 Mar 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++LEGAL NOTICE: Please note that subscribers should ensure their broadcasters on any medium during polling day for the French local election comply with the French electoral code, notably ARTICLE L49 ELECTORAL CODE, which prohibits the broadcast or publication by any means of communication, to the French public, messages that have the character of "electoral propaganda."++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Paris - 15 March 2026 1. Various of voters queuing to register and vote inside polling station 2. Voter goes behind curtain ASSOCIATED PRESS Garches, suburb of Paris - 15 March 2026 3. SOUNDBITE (French) Daniel Bonomo, voter: "Today, we really make a distinction between the local, everyday life, and concretely for children, for example, or for seniors or even families like ours and so that's what today is for. Obviously, the context is significant, but for me, the local players are the mayors, and it's their time today." 4. Voters in queue to vote 5. SOUNDBITE (French) Jerty Marboeuf, voter: "People will find a way to come and vote because, as I told you, it's important to vote for our community and for the people who implement everything for the youth and for ourselves, the seniors. But no, I don't think that, given what's happening in the news, it will prevent people from coming to vote." ASSOCIATED PRESS Paris - 15 March 2026 6. Voter casting ballot in box 7. Voter emerging from behind curtain ASSOCIATED PRESS Garches, suburb of Paris - 15 March 2026 8. SOUNDBITE (French) Paul Mira, voter: "Well, it's obviously connected, of course. But for now, it's local, but it's clear that it will have an impact on the presidential elections." ASSOCIATED PRESS Paris - 15 March 2026 9. Vote being placed in box STORYLINE: Voters are going to the polls Sunday in the first round of municipal elections to choose leadership teams across France, from small villages to the biggest cities - a test for political parties' electoral machines before next year's presidential election for the successor to President Emmanuel Macron. Although largely focused on grassroots concerns, the voting will be scrutinized for any early hints of how parties might fare in the presidential race of 2027, when Macron's second and last term as president ends. "For now, it's local, but it's clear that it will have an impact on the presidential elections," said one voter from a Paris suburb. The vote is also taking place in the context of the Iran war and huge international developments. The second round is on March 22. Attention is particularly focused on key races in major cities, including Paris. Incumbent Socialist Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, decided against seeking a third term, having steered the French capital through the trauma of extremist attacks in 2015 and the exuberance of the Paris Olympics in 2024. In Marseille, France's second-largest city, polls pointed to a tight race between incumbent left-wing Mayor Benoît Payan and the candidate of the far-right National Rally party, Franck Allisio, and his would-be municipal team. The National Rally's performances in municipal races will be studied for possible indications of whether the party of Marine Le Pen is gathering momentum in the lead-up to 2027, despite the possibility that she might be barred from challenging again for the presidency herself. Last year, a French court convicted Le Pen of embezzlement and prohibited her from seeking public office for five years. A ruling against Le Pen could derail her presidential ambitions. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...