In partnership with
RetroNews
, the BnF press site
Abstentionism is "
one of the plagues of universal suffrage
", deplored
Le Figaro
in 1890. The right for the French to go to the polls was however recent.
After a first attempt in 1792, universal suffrage had been re-established during the Revolution of 1848. It had been fully exercised since the proclamation of the Third Republic in 1870, by men at least because women would wait until 1944 to vote.
To read also:
Abstention: how has evolved "the largest party in France" under the Fifth Republic
And yet, from the end of the 19th century, voters' abstention was denounced.
However, it is far from being as important as the record figure reached on June 20 in the first round of regional elections.
More than 66% of the French shunned the ballot box, unprecedented under the Fifth Republic.
What would observers of political life have said about it who, a hundred years ago, were offended by the 25% abstention in the municipal elections of 1925?
Thus the editor-in-chief of the
Petit Journal illustrated
:
“
'The giants of 48', like
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 80% left to discover.
To cultivate your freedom is to cultivate your curiosity.
Continue reading your article for € 1 the first month
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in