PARIS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The turnout for the European elections in France stood at 43.3 percent by 1500 GMT, higher than that of five years ago, the Interior Ministry revealed on Sunday.

Three hours before the polling stations in France's mainland close their doors at 1800 GMT, more voters participated in EU ballots compared with a figure of 35.07 percent recorded at the same time during the last election in 2014, 33.18 percent in 2009, and 33.24 percent in 2004, the ministry data showed.

In a European vote, which had been framed as a battle between reformists and populists, French voters need to choose 74 lawmakers for the 751-seat parliament based in Strasbourg. French parties could have additional five seats if Britain quits the European bloc.

Citizens of the 28 European Union member countries, among whom over 400 million voters are eligible, have been voting over the course of four days, starting from Thursday, to elect 751 members of EP (MEPs) for a five-year term.