France Votes

Polls have opened in France's presidential election. Centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy is seeking re-election, saying only he can preserve a "strong France".But he is facing a tough challenge from Socialist Francois Hollande, who has said it is "the left's turn to govern".

There are 10 candidates in all, and if none wins more than 50% of the votes there will be a run-off round on 6 May.

Polls in mainland France and Corsica are open until 18:00 (16:00 GMT), with voting stations in big cities remaining open for a further two hours.

The first official results will be released after the last stations close at 20:00 (18:00 GMT).

French presidents are now elected for five years.

source: commonspace.eu with BBC

photo: Table of latest opinion polls (picture courtesy of Reuters)

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Trump still wants Greenland. "We have to have it", he insists.

Trump still wants Greenland. "We have to have it", he insists.

Donald Trump still wants Greenland. "We have to have it", the US president insists. He has sparked a fresh row with Denmark after appointing a special envoy to Greenland.   In response to a question from the BBC about the new role of Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, Trump said the US needed Greenland for "national protection" and that "we have to have it". Trump specifically mentioned Chinese and Russian ships as potential threats in the nearby seas. Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979, though defence and foreign policy remain in Danish hands. While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US. (click the image to read the full story).

Popular