Abstention

In the French National Assembly, abstention is one of the positions recorded in a public vote. An abstaining MP participates in the vote but does not support either outcome. Abstentions are shown separately and are not included among the votes cast when the applicable majority is calculated.

An MP may abstain because they do not support a bill but do not wish to vote against it.

Abstention is different from being absent or recorded as a non-voter.

A formally recorded voting position

Neither a vote for nor a vote against

Normally excluded from votes cast