Main content

Why did so many French people spoil their ballot?

A large proportion of the French electorate did not vote for either candidate in last round of the presidential elections. A quarter of the people entitled to vote declined and almost 12% of those who did go along to the polling station registered some kind of protest.

Malcolm Crook, professor of French History, explained to PM that the French enjoy protesting in the form of "spoiling a ballot paper rather than building a barricade".

(Photo: Doodles of things representing France on paper Credit: Getty Images)

Release date:

Duration:

2 minutes

This clip is from