Sarkozy or Hollande? France to decide
Source: Agencies |
May 6, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CAMPAIGNING ended yesterday in France for a decisive second-round presidential vote expected to crown Francois Hollande the country's first Socialist leader in two decades despite polls showing President Nicolas Sarkozy clawing back some ground.
Today's election, which coincides with parliamentary polls in Greece, may prove decisive for the direction of Europe as Hollande has promised he will try to temper a German-led austerity drive across Europe and reorientate the recession-struck euro zone toward growth.
Sarkozy, who became the first sitting president of modern times to finish second in a presidential first round vote, must overcome high disapproval rates because of his abrasive style.
If he does win, it would be a political sensation after a whirlwind campaign by the man many voters blame for stubbornly high unemployment, running at a 12-year high of nearly 10 percent, and France's stagnant economy.
'Anxious for victory'
Sarkozy was spending the day yesterday at home in Paris with his wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, while Hollande visited a market in Tulle, a town in central France where he was mayor for seven years.
"I am nervous, anxious for victory," Hollande said, as he shook hands with stall holders and kissed female well-wishers.
Sarkozy made an impassioned final plea to France's 46 million voters on Friday, saying the election's outcome was balanced on a "razor's edge."
He warned that a Socialist victory could send the euro zone's second-largest economy spiralling into rising deficits and debt, like Greece.
Final polls before a mandatory media blackout on campaigning from midnight Friday showed the 57-year-old conservative leader, an aggressive campaigner, cutting Hollande's lead to four points from 10 a few weeks ago.
"On Sunday, anything is possible" wrote left-leaning Liberation on its front page, noting that while Hollande remained the clear favorite, Sarkozy was catching up fast.
The election campaign was knocked sideways by a shock performance by National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, who came third in the April 22 first round with 18 percent of votes, prompting Sarkozy to shift his rhetoric to the right.
Today's election, which coincides with parliamentary polls in Greece, may prove decisive for the direction of Europe as Hollande has promised he will try to temper a German-led austerity drive across Europe and reorientate the recession-struck euro zone toward growth.
Sarkozy, who became the first sitting president of modern times to finish second in a presidential first round vote, must overcome high disapproval rates because of his abrasive style.
If he does win, it would be a political sensation after a whirlwind campaign by the man many voters blame for stubbornly high unemployment, running at a 12-year high of nearly 10 percent, and France's stagnant economy.
'Anxious for victory'
Sarkozy was spending the day yesterday at home in Paris with his wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, while Hollande visited a market in Tulle, a town in central France where he was mayor for seven years.
"I am nervous, anxious for victory," Hollande said, as he shook hands with stall holders and kissed female well-wishers.
Sarkozy made an impassioned final plea to France's 46 million voters on Friday, saying the election's outcome was balanced on a "razor's edge."
He warned that a Socialist victory could send the euro zone's second-largest economy spiralling into rising deficits and debt, like Greece.
Final polls before a mandatory media blackout on campaigning from midnight Friday showed the 57-year-old conservative leader, an aggressive campaigner, cutting Hollande's lead to four points from 10 a few weeks ago.
"On Sunday, anything is possible" wrote left-leaning Liberation on its front page, noting that while Hollande remained the clear favorite, Sarkozy was catching up fast.
The election campaign was knocked sideways by a shock performance by National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, who came third in the April 22 first round with 18 percent of votes, prompting Sarkozy to shift his rhetoric to the right.
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