Voters in two districts of Paris explain their preferences

The Hindu interviewed several voters in the 8th and 18th arrondissements (districts), two contrasting neighbourhoods in Paris.

The 8th district, which includes the Champs-Elysees area, houses wealthy and metropolitan voters.

Linda and Philipp Dawudian, a couple in their early forties, who have lived in Paris for many years, voted for François Fillon. “I think he has the best programme… we really need changes in France,” said Ms. Dawudian, a management consultant with an MBA from Harvard.

Fillon voters

Mr. Dawudian, an entrepreneur who also does business with Indian companies, was supportive of Mr. Fillon’s policy proposals, especially the tax cuts, introduction of labour market flexibility and reduction in public spending.

Not all voters had a clear preference. “To be real, I don’t really know why [I voted for Francois Fillon],” said Adrien Pauwels (20), a business student, adding that he thought Mr. Fillon was better than all the other candidates.

Speaking of a possible run-off between Mr. Macron and Marine Le Pen, Mr. Pauwels said, “I am going to vote for Mr. Macron for President, Madame Le Pen will be a catastrophe.”

Alyssa and Arend Magpayo, Philippine-origin siblings in their twenties, made a different choice. “I voted for Jean-Luc Melanchon, because for the younger it is better…he thinks more for the future [sic],” Mr. Magpayo said.

Across the city, in the 18th district, with has a large African-origin population, the demographic at the polling station was visibly different, with a higher percentage of black and Muslim voters. “We are immigrants…we voted for the left,” said a 52 year old construction worker from Africa, who did not want to be named. “In a second round, I know I will vote for the left against the right, “ he added.

There were outliers in both districts. African-origin voter Babette de Rozieres said she was planning to vote for Mr. Fillon because he had been the Prime Minister once and she wanted France to be in safe hands. It later emerged that she is a television personality and a candidate for the legislative elections due to take place later in the summer.