This article by Lucy Williamson is published by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Here is an excerpt:

In an open space near Châtelet in central Paris, lanky young men – their knees and elbows folded around BMX bikes – dodge skateboarders out practising their moves.

For some of them, France’s regional elections this month are their first ever opportunity to vote. But when polls opened for the first round of voting last Sunday, almost 90% of the country’s youngest voters failed to show up.

Abstention rates were only slightly lower for voters under 35. The second round run-offs take place on Sunday.

Read the full article here.