Regional election runoffs get under way in France

First-round results marked a boost for the traditional right-wing Republicans as well as the Socialist Party.

Voters in France are going to the polls in the second round of regional elections on Sunday after a first round that saw a drubbing for President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party, disappointment for Marine Le Pen’s far right and record low turnout. Voting began at 8am (06:00 GMT), with the last polling stations due to close 12 hours later. For some observers, the outcome of the first round on June 20 raised doubts over whether the 2022 presidential election would come down to a duel between Macron and Le Pen in a runoff long seen as the most likely scenario.