PARIS

The French cast their ballot on Sunday in the first round of presidential election, with voters lined up as usual but many not thrilled about those they have chosen.

According to polling by Ipsos Sopras-Steria, the current rate of abstention is 26.5%.

As of the evening hours, President Emmanuel Macron is the current favorite, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in second place and France Unbowed’s Jean-Luc Melenchon in third.

Voters in Paris’ posh 6th Arrondissement district cast ballots at a school with long lines cued down the hall. People of all ages, and children, participated in the process.

Some found 12 candidates too many to vote for.

“The choice is too much. How can one choose?” said Isabelle, an elderly lady sporting a mask who had just exited the polling place. She would not of course say for whom she voted, only to say that it was a woman.

Young mothers like Marianne, 39, had the environment and ecological issues top of mind.

“I didn’t know who I was to vote for. There aren’t many strong candidates. I choose to vote for somebody who can be stronger, who can be secure,” she said. “Usually I vote left, more on ecology, more on human rights. Now, I voted right instead of left because I thought the candidates were stronger and some of them had some programs that could interest me actually.”

“The big issue?” Marianne added, “For me, ecology is the biggest. I’ve lived in Paris forever and I’ve seen all the - how do you say - the waste growing, growing, growing, and no treatment just sending it to foreign countries and more and more plastic in the ocean.”

With rising inflation causing skyrocketing gas prices and climate challenge a serious issue, many are indecisive. Young voters like Arthur, 21, are sure of who they want at the Elysee Palace and were strongly for Macron and think the environment is the central issue.

“It’s climate change because it’s an important thing for the future and for young people like me. It’s very important to live in the best world.”