Sentence examples for record abstentions from inspiring English sources

Just as important, though, Mr. Chirac and his prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, need to look at how they got to power: Mr. Chirac by dint of a huge protest vote against Mr. Le Pen, and Mr. Raffarin, who is relatively new to national politics, in an election on Sunday marked by record abstentions.

Half the electorate will sit on its hands come election day, a record abstention rate, every poll suggests.

In last Sunday's first round of municipal elections for local councils, the National Front did well nationally, aided by a record abstention rate of more than 55 percent.

PARIS — The governing party of President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared to be beaten by the opposition Socialists on Sunday in a first round of regional elections marked by a record abstention, according to partial official results released Sunday night.

As the final voting figures came in on Monday, it was clear the FN had benefited from record abstention of 38.5% of the electorate, and a protest vote against the government and UMP opposition, but also had widespread and genuine support.

Socialists cautioned against complacency, especially given the record high abstention rate.

Supporters of Mr. Sarkozy on television debates all urged that the "triumphalism" of the left be tempered by the record voter abstention.

With only 10 percent of the votes counted — and despite record-high abstentions, estimated at 40 percent — Mr. Papandreou gave a triumphant televised address.

Another accomplishment was the record-high abstention rate: 57% of French voters disdained the rare and precious privilege of voting, a privilege invented several centuries ago by men who believed in deliberation, reason, and enlightenment.

In legislative elections in May 2011, gains by the opposition Democratic Rally and a record number of abstentions were interpreted by many as a sign of voter dissatisfaction with the progress of reunification talks.

There were a record number of abstentions and spoiled ballots in the vote, showing that many were not willing to vote for Macron even given the possibility that Le Pen could win.