- Title: France's Macron takes drubbing in local elections, Greens surge
- Date: 29th June 2020
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 29, 2020) (REUTERS) PARIS STREET FRENCH AND EUROPEAN FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (French) 53 YEAR-OLD PARIS LIBRARIAN, SANDRA, ASKED ABOUT MACRON'S GOVERNMENT, SAYING: "It's a big failure and I hope it will continue that way because this government is truly a right-wing government, in favour of free-market, who has turned up with reforms such as the pension reform which we don't need and which they shouldn't really not try to pass again because they'll end up with people in the streets." CYCLISTS VARIOUS OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
- Embargoed: 13th July 2020 11:05
- Keywords: Emmanuel Macron French local elections Municipal elections coronavirus greens mayors
- Location: PARIS & LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE, FRANCE
- City: PARIS & LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA007CKF8VGN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:France President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party received a drubbing on Sunday (June 29) in municipal elections, as the Greens celebrated victories in several big cities after a surge in support.
In this second round of voting, turnout was low and people wore masks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The first round was held just days before Macron imposed one of Europe's strictest lockdowns in mid-March.
Macron had hoped the elections would help anchor his young party in towns and cities across France, including Paris, ahead of an anticipated 2022 re-election bid.
But aides had more recently been playing down expectations and the sweeping wins by the Greens, who in some cities joined forces with leftist allies, may compel Macron to reshuffle his government to win back disenfranchised left-wing voters.
Exit polls showed the Greens winning in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Strasbourg, building on the momentum created by their strong performance in France in last year's European Parliament elections.
In Paris, the biggest prize of all, the incumbent Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo celebrated victory after a shambolic campaign by Macron's camp.
France's 35,000 mayors set policy on issues from urban planning to education and the environment. While local factors typically drive voter choices, they give the electorate an opportunity to support or punish a president mid-mandate.
(Production: Noemie Olive, Lucien Libert, Emilie Delwarde) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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