The French who live in the region were able to go to the polls all day this Saturday, at Collège Stanislas. Even before the polling stations opened their doors at 8 a.m., the participation rate in this election exceeded that of 2022.
Indeed, 4,000 French people in the region made their voices heard by electronic voting earlier this week. This is already more than the total number of votes recorded in the last legislative election, where 24% of those who were eligible in the region voted.
“Which shows us that this election interests the French more than the previous ones,” underlines Éric Lamouroux, consul general of France in Quebec.
The French Consulate in Quebec has 21,000 registered members, so 16,000 can vote in French elections.
Mr. Lamouroux points out that the French are known for their appetite for debate and their alternation in politics. Elections usually have good turnout rates in French territory.
Éric Lamouroux, consul general of France in Quebec, met voters there on Saturday. (Yan Doublet/Le Soleil Archives)
“With the polling stations at the ballot box, we will undoubtedly go towards 30 or 35% perhaps, which would still be a historic record,” estimates Éric Lamouroux.
The participation of expatriates in legislative elections is usually between 20 and 25%, he recalls.
The second round of voting will take place next Saturday, with a polling station once again in Quebec, at Stanislas College.
Historical tensions
If the French living in Quebec vote in such large numbers, it is notably due to the popularity of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, which polarizes the country.
“Given the current geopolitics, we still found it important to have the opportunity to have our say in this somewhat decisive turning point in French politics,” says Léa Thouvenin, a French woman who has lived in Quebec for three years.
She is very concerned about the outcome of this particular election, since she would like to return to live in France or Europe.
“We feel the tension between all French citizens. It’s a little sad, but at least we have the opportunity to give our voice and try to change things.”
— Léa Thouvenin, a French woman living in Quebec for three years
The popularity of the far-right National Rally (RN) party motivated Aline and Élodie, two French women who have lived in Quebec for 15 years, to show up at the polling station.
Hundreds of French people exercised their right to vote on Saturday at Collège Stanislas in Quebec. (Juliette Nadeau-Besse/Le Soleil)
“I find it extremely difficult to see the far right coming to power. As I don’t want that to happen, it’s all the more important to put my vote in, even more than usual,” said Élodie, who preferred to keep her last name quiet.
“In Europe in general, the extreme right is growing a lot. Even though I don’t live there, I don’t want that to happen. I don’t think it’s good for anyone to have that in power.”
“I feel like we’ve been voting against something for 20 years and not for something,” laments her friend Aline.
The latter is used to voting remotely for all presidential elections, but not necessarily for every European or legislative election. “But there, there is a form of duty,” believes the French national.
“We spend our time voting against something,” she laments. This time, the takeover of power by the extreme right is more likely than ever. “Even if we are far away, we would not want that to happen. There is still the idea that one day, maybe we will go back, the whole family is there.”
Member of Parliament for North America
Marie and Yann Rosan, a French couple who have lived in Quebec for 18 years, came to exercise their right to vote on Saturday morning, more out of principle than passion.
“Living in a democracy is an opportunity, and a democracy is fragile. We see it every day. As such, it is important to express your opinion and go to the ballot,” believes Marie Rosan, who never misses an election.
“It’s up to politicians to present us with something interesting too. If we don’t like the menu, it’s difficult to choose.”
— Yann Rosan, a Frenchman who has lived in Quebec for 18 years
On the occasion of this legislative election, the voters met by The sun are deciding which MP will represent all French people in North America. “It affects us directly,” says Marie Rosan.
The duo nevertheless deplores the tense and “depressing” political climate which currently reigns, in France and elsewhere.
“There is certainly a tension, but I think it is a tension that is everywhere. In Europe, [aux] UNITED STATES. Here, we are between Russia, the United States and Europe, we are well placed,” says Yann Rosan ironically.
