ADVERTISEMENTSeveral political leaders from the right and the left called for the second round to be postponed. Sunday’s vote came just as a drastic new rules took effect shutting down all of France’s restaurants, museums and most stores to stem the spreading coronavirus that emerged in China late last year. If no list gets the absolute majority in the first round, all lists that receive more than 10% of votes qualify for the second round. While most voters cast ballots based on local issues, the elections are an important gauge of public sentiment before France’s 2022 presidential election. Sunday’s voting is expected to be a tough challenge for Macron’s 3-year-old centrist party, which is competing for the first time in municipal elections and still lacks local roots across France.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2020 22:52 UTC