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)

 

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