Turnout at 5pm is nearly 60% in second round of French election

As the second round of voting begins a far-right government could come to power, however most analysts suggest a hung parliament is more likely.

Transcript

00:00Voting has begun in France in pivotal run-off elections.

00:03The country faces a choice that could either hand a historic victory to the far right or

00:07result in a hung parliament and political deadlock.

00:11This Sunday's vote will determine which party controls the National Assembly and who becomes

00:15Prime Minister.

00:18By midday, turnout was 26.6% according to France's Interior Ministry, the highest at

00:24that time on an election day since 1981.

00:28With Macron's centrist majority weakened, he may be forced to share power with parties

00:33opposed to his pro-business, pro-EU policies.

00:38Amid a campaign marred in violence towards candidates and Russian cyberattacks, the government

00:42has deployed 30,000 police to maintain order.

00:47The first round of voting on July 1st saw the highest voter turnout in four decades,

00:51reaching almost 60%.

00:53This Sunday, voting will conclude at 8pm.

00:58For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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