Briefly

FRANCE

Paris mayor claims win in virus-hit poll

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo declared victory in her reelection bid on Sunday in municipal elections postponed by the novel coronavirus crisis. Hidalgo, a Socialist, largely beat conservative candidate Rachida Dati, according to estimates based on partial results. She was first elected as Paris mayor in 2014. Her reelection would allow her to oversee the 2024 Summer Olympics. The second round of the municipal elections saw a record low turnout amid lingering worries about the pandemic. Only 40 percent of voters cast ballots as people were required to wear masks in polling stations, maintain social distancing while in lines and carry their own pens to sign voting registers. Mail-in voting isn't allowed in France.