French Ambassador to Portugal Stresses Importance of Elections

French Ambassador to Portugal Hélène Farnaud-Desfromont on Sunday called the French legislative elections “very important” not only for the country but also for Europe, refusing to make predictions about the results of the second round.

“These elections are very important for France, but also for Europe. All French people know this,” he told reporters at the Liceu Francês in Lisbon after voting in person.

Voter turnout in Portugal was “good”, according to Helene Farno-Defromon, noting that “more than a third” of the approximately 20,000 voters registered on the electoral rolls cast their ballots online.

The official also recalled that today there are five polling stations in Portugal: three in Lisbon, one in the Algarve, Vilamoura and another in Porto, where you can vote in person until 18:00.

Asked about the expected results of the second round of elections, Hélène Farnaud-Desfromont said she had “no predictions”, recalling that the results would be known at night, at 20:00 in French (19:00 in Lisbon).

In the first round, according to the ambassador, in Portugal “more than 50% of French voters voted”, adding that at the national level [em França] “participation” was 67%, almost 20 points [percentuais] more than in the last elections.”

Portugal is part of the fifth electoral district for French citizens created outside France, along with Spain, Andorra and Monaco.

According to the embassy, ​​the total number of French people living in Portugal varies between fifty and sixty thousand.

In the first round on June 30, the National Union managed to win the legislative elections for the first time. It received 33.10% of the vote, followed by the left-wing alliance Nova Frente Popular with 28%, the presidential list Juntos (Ensemble in French) received 20%, and the right and the Republicans remained at 6.7%.

President Emmanuel Macron announced the first round of elections, which took place a week ago as polling stations had barely closed on the day of the European elections, June 9.

In the European elections, RN won with more than 30% of the vote, which, according to Macron, justified new legislative elections, which theoretically should not take place until 2027.

Forecasts for today suggest a high voter turnout, which could ultimately replicate the 66.7% of the first round, a turnout not recorded since 1997.

At stake in this election are 577 seats in the National Assembly (parliament).

According to a poll released Wednesday by the Toluna Harris Interactive institute, the National Union could win between 190 and 220 seats, not enough to achieve an absolute majority of 289 seats, which could cast doubt on party leader Jordan Bardella’s ability to become prime minister.

The left-wing Nova Frente Popular coalition could win between 159 and 183 seats, while the presidential Juntos (Ensemble in French) coalition could win between 110 and 135 seats.

If there is no clear majority and no agreement between the parties on a government coalition, a deadlock could arise, an unprecedented situation in France.