French local election participation down 5 pct by lunchtime versus 2014

The participation rate at lunchtime for local elections in France was down 5 percent from 2014, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Participation was at 18.3 pct compared to 23.1 pct in 2014 at 1200 (1100 GMT). Polls begin closing from 1800 local time.