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High turnout here, with lots of proxy votes (school holidays). A turnover in those who vote: lots of people who didn't vote in the first round; very few of those who I profiled as Mélenchon voters in the first round.

As a result, I'm now feeling complacent about an easy Macron win.
(But I've been wrong before)

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II

by eurogreen on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 at 01:28:18 PM EST
Latest polls on Friday were showing a 13-14% spread (and widening) between Macron and Le Pen: 56-57% Macron vs. 43-44% Le Pen.

Still, the Macronia has been sounding the war drum for weeks now, claiming that Le Pen might edge a win if not enough voters go to the poll. They also warned against premature complacency, citing the precedents of 2016 in the UK and the US.

Technically, it is possible of course, a low turnout in general except for the Le Pen voters might swing the vote. But the comparison to the 2016 Brexit referendum and the Trump election are misplaced: prior to June 24, most polls were only showing a narrow (3-4%) lead for Remain and at least one poll was predicting Leave. As for the US elections, Clinton actually won the popular vote (like Gore did in 2000); Trump was only elected thanks to the Electoral College.

The cynical me tends to think that the Macronistas are not so much worried by a Le Pen win, as improbable as it may be, but rather by a not so large victory of Macron: this would put a damper on Macron's momentum and perceived "legitimacy" to pursue his agenda. They are also planning for the Legislative elections in two months from now: Macron's election in 2017 carried forward into a large majority for his party, LREM, in the ensuing Legislative elections; a narrower than expected victory today could cast a doubt on pulling a similar majority this year.

Also, a large number of those casting a ballot for Macron today are doing so, not because they are supporting Macro, but rather because they do not want to see an extreme right president in the Elysée (yours truly very much included).

by Bernard (bernard) on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 at 03:37:24 PM EST
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Ground zero Lyon: Looking like a high turnout and wide winning margin for Macron. This may backfire on him, because the left electorate is mobilised and wants to wash away the shame of being forced to vote for him.
Legislatives in June, and the big news is a united front of the left to present common candidates, unlike 2017. A real chance of forcing Macron into minority.

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
by eurogreen on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 at 04:07:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Ha! That sounds better!
by Katrin on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 at 04:12:03 PM EST
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I could imagine so, since your analogy is incorrect. Why you discard Trump's 2020 re-election defeat by a candidate, Biden, who has never survived primary selection, I couldn't say. I will note, in both cases a majority of voters' rejected the greater evil.
by Cat on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 at 06:50:14 PM EST
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