French Presidential run-off to remain tight race

With incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy and the leftist Socialist candidate Francois Hollande heading to a run-off vote, the preliminary results of the first round of the French presidential election suggested that it would be a tight race.

For a long time, the leftists, who advocate social justice and higher social welfare, and the rightists, who are in favor of promoting the general livelihood on the basis of an enhanced national economic competitiveness, have been evenly matched on the French political landscape. And this time, history appears to be repeating itself.

Sarkozy's political style, his broken campaign promises, an economy hard hit by the global financial storm and the European debt crisis - all these reasons may compel voters to support his opponent.

By attacking Sarkozy's records, Hollande has finally united the long-broken leftist wing and appeared before the public as a strong advocate for change.

Nicolas Sarkozy

Francois Hollande

However, though Sarkozy failed to emerge as the winner in the first round, his less-than-two-percentage-point ballot margin with Hollande indicates that the game is far from over.

While addressing a campaign rally in the southwestern city of Tulle, Hollande said he is the "candidate to get the French people together for a change."

He also said he would work hard to grow the economy more rapidly, create more job opportunities, and restore the French people's confidence in political policies and public morals.

Meanwhile, Sarkozy told his supporters in Paris that he understood the voters' concerns, and called for three face-to-face debates with Hollande on economic and social affairs, business development, as well as international issues.

WHO WILL WIN?

Analysts said the supporters of those disqualified from the first round matter a great deal in the upcoming run-off contest between Sarkozy and Hollande.

Currently, with four leftist candidates openly endorsing Hollande, Sarkozy might be defeated by eight percentage points.

However, two weeks ahead of the second round contest, Sarkozy still has a chance to turn the tide in his favor by consolidating the support of the right wing and winning over the far-right voters.

Also, in his latest speech, he has begun to focus on topics that could well secure him the support of the far right. At the same time, Hollande will have a difficult time to keep his lead. Yet observers agreed that though the leftists and rightists differ fundamentally in governance policies, the winner of the race will have to cut the deficits and public debt, promote economic growth, and expand employment.

French economist Nicolas Baverez said France is very likely to become the next victim of the European debt crisis, and the next French president's major task is to change the pattern of economic growth by relying on loans.

NARROW LEAD

Meanwhile,French Socialist candidate Francois Hollande and incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy qualified to face off in the run-off vote as the first round of election ended on Sunday night, with the leftist candidate narrowly leading over the conservative president.

With the vote-counting still under way, French Interior Ministry's figures have so far shown that Socialist Hollande had 27.9 percent of the ballot cast and Sarkozy 26.6 percent.

National Front (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen took the third place with about 19.3 percent of the vote until now, attracting a surprisingly high numbers of voters with her far-right proposals including anti-immigrant policy. As the first round vote drawing down its curtain, the two contenders give no time to loose for vying for the second round face-off.

"I am the candidate to get the French people together for a change," said Hollande at a gathering following the issue of partial result, adding that he had the backing of Jean-Luc Melenchon (10.84 percent) of the Left Front and Eva Joly (2.11 percent), candidate of the French Green Party.

The exit poll results echoes voters response to give more supports to the Socialist Hollande against Sarkozy, who seeks a second five-year mandate despite being cornered by high unpopularity and rising criticisms over a "failed" governing policy.

Melenchon, head of the far left front, gave a speech at a mass rally immediately after the result was out. "It is we who have the keys of the result. I call you to fully assume this responsibility. I'm calling to see you on May 6t to beat Sarkozy," the far-leftist urged.

Greens leader Joly encouraged her audience that "polls have spoken. We have to do everything to ensure that our country get out from Sarkozysme." As the ruling the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate, Sarkozy showed his supporters the determinations to run against his arch rival in the second round after knowing the results.

DEBATES

He called for three face-to-face debates with Hollande, "so that the French vote with confidence" he vowed, inviting the his supporters to mobilize so as to "start the second round with confidence. "

"The crucial moment came, the one of the comparison of projects and selection of personalities," the president said, adding that "in this world which changes so fast, people's concern about preserving their way of life is the central issue of this election."

"The people have expressed a crisis vote which bears witness to their worries, their suffering and their anxiety in face of this new world that is forming," said the UMP candidate, referring to the surge of the far right leader Marine Le Pen.

"I understand that preserving their standard of living was the main concern of the French. To succeed, the duty of both candidates is to be courageous. The battle has just begun," Sarkozy stressed.

Prime Minister Francois Fillion called for strong support to the head of state. "Tonight nothing played. The second round is the one of the decisive choice. Do it around Nicolas Sarkozy. Who promised you everything and too much is wrong. In this difficult period we need a head of state. None can express doubt over Sarkozy's courage and commitment."

The presidential frontrunners Sarkozy and Hollande are set to resume their duel on April 27 with a series of campaign rallies. A face-to-face television debate is scheduled for May 2. Latest poll showed that Hallande would gain 54 percent against Sarkozy's 46 percent in the second round.

SURPRISE

"The real surprise is Marine Le Pen's score ... The big uncertainty is the transfer of Marine Le Pen votes in the second round. For the moment, what we're seeing is a relatively limited transfer in favor of Nicolas Sarkozy," Carine Marce, political analyst at Ins-Sofres told TF1 TV.

"If the transfers remain at the levels we've seen until now in the polls, it's practically mission impossible for Sarkozy," she added.

Opinion polls on Sunday showed that between 48 and 60 percent of Le Pen voters planned to back Sarkozy while Bayrou's supporters split almost evenly between the two finalists, with one third undecided.

"The game is getting very difficult for Nicolas Sarkozy. There's a genuine demand for social justice, precisely because times are hard and voters see sacrifices will have to be made," Jerome Saint-Marie of CSA pollster said on i>TELE channel news.

Xinhua