- I cried for several days after the first round of elections.

The first reaction was that I do not intend to go and vote again - none of these will get my vote, says Annabelle Hernandez.

She is one of the 7.7 million French people who voted for the left-wing populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his movement Occupied France in the first round of presidential elections.

But Mélenchon fell on the finish line - just one percent behind his opponent, the right-wing populist Marine Le Pen, who instead became next to President Emmanuel Macron in the final round.

Now several left-wing voters say that the choice is between plague or cholera.

- It is a big dilemma for us on the left.

We do not know what to do ... Mélenchon has said no vote may go to Marine Le Pen, but it is difficult for us to vote for Macron, says Matthieu Vignes, when SVT meets him and his like-minded comrades in a café.

They are disappointed after five years of Emmanuel Macron's rule.

Left-wing voters believe that he has pursued an economic policy that benefits the rich, and that Macron has a part in the fact that right-wing parties have grown strong in France.

- I will go and vote dressed in black, because for me it is a moment of sadness over democracy.

So if I go and vote for Macron, I will be dressed in black, says Annabelle Hernandez.

A majority votes blank or not at all

According to a poll conducted by Mélenchon's party, the majority of his voters will now either vote blank, or not vote at all.

One third say they vote for Macron.

Voting for Le Pen was not offered as an option.

Many of them around the café table have not yet decided what to do.

Although the feeling is hopeless ahead of tomorrow's election, they are looking ahead - to the election to the National Assembly which will be held in early June.


Jean-Luc Mélenchon has urged his constituents to make him prime minister instead, which the friends of Paris are campaigning for.

- The fight continues.

We have begun to melt the defeat in the presidential election and look forward to the election to the National Assembly.

We hope to have as many members there as possible.

Ideally a majority, ie 289 members, says Annabelle Hernandez.