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Election Date: April 22, 2007

At stake: President (First Round)

Background

France's recent history is closely tied to the role the country played during World War II and after. France failed to repel Nazi Germany, at some point joined by Italy, and by 1940 it was invaded. On Jun. 22, Paris marshal Henri Philippe Pétain signed an armistice with the Germans. Pétain became the chief of what was called Vichy France, the non-occupied part of France, where he governed as a puppet for the Nazi regime.

In August 1944, the allied troops liberated France. General Charles de Gaulle, who had been leading the resistance of the "Free French" from London, was then appointed as head of the provisional government. On Dec. 24, 1946, the Fourth Republic was inaugurated. That same year, France, now known as the French Union, joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). While France engaged in decolonization processes in Africa, De Gaulle was elected president in 1958. The country was relatively stable until the late 1960s.

In May 1968, massive demonstrations led by students and factory workers turned into a series of violent rallies. The following years saw a conservative France rising—economically speaking—until socialist François Mitterrand won by a wide margin the 1981 presidential ballot. Mitterrand was a key figure during the years in which France became what, still today, many call an over-protective State. Ever since 1968, France's politics have been struggling to find the balance between protectionism, labour rights—what the French call les acquis—and open-market policies.

Mitterrand's legacy includes his participation in the successful draft that later became the Maastricht Treaty, the document upon which the European Union (EU) was assembled to replace the European Community; he also secured close economic and security ties for France with the EU.

Today, France's political landscape includes the ever more unpopular figure of centre-right president Jacques Chirac, the socialists and the rise of a radical right. Among current issues is an increasing tension with immigrant populations, especially in the banlieues in bigger cities. In the international arena, France still holds important power as one of five permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and one of Western Europe's strongest economies.

Chirac won the presidential ballot in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over ultranationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002.

2007 Presidential Election, First Round

In September 2006, the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) had five prospective nominees: interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, prime minister Dominique de Villepin, defence minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, employment minister Jean-Louis Borloo and National Assembly member Nicolas Dupont-Aignan.

The potential contenders for the Socialist Party (PS) were leader of the Poitou-Charentes regional government Ségolène Royal, former presidential candidate and prime minister Lionel Jospin, former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former culture and education minister Jack Lang, former prime minister Laurent Fabius, and current PS leader François Hollande.

On Sept. 20, Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) officially launched his campaign, declaring, "Either France defeats hostile foreign powers or it tamely abandons through the ballot box its history and its soul to the enemy forces of globalized capitalism, communitarism and uncontrolled immigration."

On Nov. 16, Royal officially became the PS nominee, defeating Strauss-Kahn and Fabius in an internal primary with more than 60 per cent of all ballots. Royal thanked her supporters, adding, "The world has changed, France has changed. So politics must change. I want not only to embody this deep change, but to build it with you. I launch an appeal to all French people: gather together, mobilize, ask yourself what you can do for your country."

On Nov. 22, Le Pen revealed that he is having a hard time collecting signatures in support of his candidacy. The FN candidate said that some regional officials have not endorsed him out of fear, adding, "I ask mayors to have the courage to carry out the duty assigned to them by the law. This is about the fate of the country; they should overcome their reservations."

On Jan. 14, 2007, Sarkozy won the UMP nomination unopposed, after de Villepin and Alliot-Marie decided not to challenge him. In his 80-minute acceptance speech, Sarkozy vowed to limit public transport strikes, increase pension rights for mothers, and propose a cap for household taxes.

During a December tour around the Middle East, Royal expressed her intention to talk with every party playing a role in the ongoing conflicts in the region, including Hamas and Hezbollah. On Dec. 9, Sarkozy discussed Royal's statement, saying, "Being elected is not enough to start talks with anyone. May I remind Hitler was elected, and that didn't make him a respectable or a responsible mediator."

The list of prospective presidential contenders included Royal, Sarkozy, Union for French Democracy (UDF) leader François Bayrou, Revolutionary Communist League (LCR) member Olivier Besancenot, Movement for France (MPF) leader Philippe de Villiers, Marie-George Buffet of the French Communist Party (PCF), Arlette Laguiller of Workers' Struggle (LO), Dominique Voynet of the Greens (Verts), Corinne Lepage of Citizenship, Action, Participation for the 21st Century, Frédéric Nihous of Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Traditions (CPNT), Gérard Schivardi of the Worker's Party (PT), farmer-activist José Bové, and National Assembly member Nicolas Dupont-Aignan.

In January, Bayrou—who appeared in third place ahead of Le Pen in several voting intention polls—commented on his chances, saying, "Each candidate fights with their weapons. Dominant parties have an audience in dominant media. I go to the most independent."

On Jan. 5, Royal vowed to help French families, saying, "Housing is the most basic element in the life of a family. The glaring inequalities that exist in this area must be dealt with so as to guarantee housing for all. Urgent solutions must be found and particularly the requirement for every city to develop emergency housing units for 1,000 people."

On Jan. 7 during a visit to China, Royal said to local journalists that she hopes the Asian country "makes an effort in effectively applying international (human rights) agreements." Royal was later criticized by her opponents for being too soft when discussing China's record on the issue.

On Jan. 9, UMP lawmaker Patrick Ollier expressed disappointment with his party's evident division, saying, "It was like an exploding pot. There were reactions (during a closed-door meeting) that were not acceptable. That doesn't provide a good image of the majority party." On Jan. 10, Sarkozy urged for unity, declaring, "We must all be together. Now is the time for coming together, and everyone will have a place."

On Jan. 14, Sarkozy outlined his position on Turkey's possible accession to the European Union (EU), saying, "Turkey has no place inside the European Union. Enlarging Europe with no limit risks destroying European political union." The UMP candidate favours special treatment and trade negotiations with Turkey, but not the country's entry into the continental group.

On Jan. 22, Nicolas Hulot, host of the "Ushuaia" television show—which deals with nature and the environment—announced he would not run for the country's highest office, saying, "I have chosen to trust the words and commitments of the candidates." Hulot introduced an "ecological pact", which has been endorsed by Sarkozy and Royal.

Also on Jan. 22, Royal stirred controversy in Canada during a radio interview with André Boisclair, leader of the sovereignist Parti Québécois (PQ), when she expressed sympathy for the Canadian province's independence. When asked about her feelings on Quebec's sovereignty, Royal replied: "They're in accordance with our shared values—that is to say, the sovereignty and the freedom of Quebec."

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper issued a statement the following day, which read: "Experience teaches that it is highly inappropriate for a foreign leader to interfere in the democratic affairs of another country." Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and Quebec's premier Jean Charest also criticized the PS presidential candidate.

On Jan. 26, Sarkozy expressed his hope for a positive campaign, declaring, "I know I will be spared nothing from adversaries who, not wanting to debate the issues, find it so much easier to seek to discredit (others) than to debate. If some want to drag the campaign into the gutter, I will not follow them. If necessary, I will have dignity enough for two, or three, or four."

The UMP candidate's comments come after undercover police officers acknowledged possessing a file on Bruno Rebelle, one of Royal's environmental advisers and a former Greenpeace spokesman. Sarkozy has denied any involvement in the matter.

On Jan. 30, Bayrou slammed Sarkozy saying he had "abused" government resources when chasing down the people who stole his son's scooter a few weeks before, and that this particular case had suspiciously been solved faster than average. "This is a double-standard," Bayrou said in a radio interview. "This kind of small affair demonstrates how with the courts—or the police at least—the justice system isn't exactly the same for the poor and the powerful."

On Jan. 31, Sarkozy discussed his views on climate change, saying, "The Kyoto Protocol is not enough, but ratifying it is a minimum requirement. We're standing on the verge of an abyss. Our responsibility is to avoid pushing all of mankind into that abyss. It's nature. It's our planet. It's our whole universe that's at stake."

On Feb. 6, Sarkozy said he will step down from his position as interior minister just before the first round, adding, "I will leave at the moment where a minister has a duty of non-intervention. (...) That's to say a little bit more than a month before the election."

Sarkozy vowed to enact a program to help young farmers rent land, declaring, "If we don't defend European farming, the U.S. agricultural industry will be the only one left in the world. And when there's only one agricultural industry left, prices will climb."

On Feb. 7, Royal accused the media of portraying her in a bad light. During a speech in Paris, she said: "Those facing me and their people in the media have already written me off. [I've been] accused of shortcomings and lack of strength, pilloried in squalid publications, on the front page of weeklies linked to those in power. Why all these publications? There is so much money to make, and—if the left wins—so much money to lose for these finance and media conglomerates."

On Feb. 11, Royal released a 100-point "presidential pact" before an audience of 15,000 PS delegates, stating what she would do if elected. Royal proposed to raise low pensions by 5 per cent; increase the monthly minimum wage to $1,952 U.S., and reduce France's dependency on nuclear energy.

The PS candidate also said she would consider the creation of military-style camps for criminals, encourage "participative democracy" by creating "popular juries", and "inject a bit of youth" into the state administration, which—according to her—is "crumbling under the weight of years, useless bureaucracies and over-complex guidelines."

Sarkozy criticized Royal's announcement, declaring, "The values Ms. Royal puts forward are mollycoddling, egalitarianism and a levelling out [of society]. Where is the evolution of French socialism in the image of other European socialisms?"

On Feb. 15, Eric Besson, the PS's national secretary for the economy and tax, resigned alleging "personal reasons." Yesterday, Royal discussed the departure of one of her top advisors, saying, "It is the country's unity that is important, and not the party's."

On Feb. 16, Sarkozy expressed satisfaction with his campaign so far, declaring, "I'm starting to feel this election is going not too bad at all."

On Feb. 19, Royal participated in a televised debate where she was the only presidential contender who faced questions from different people. The PS candidate complained about gender discrimination during her campaign, saying, "No man with my professional background would have had his competence and legitimacy permanently called into question. It's much harder for a woman."

On Feb. 21, Sarkozy criticized Royal, declaring, "Compassion is not politics, and imprecision is not a strategy. (...) I've had 24 polls that put me ahead. Ségolène Royal's team was indicating that polls meant nothing. I imagine that she's changed her mind since."

Also on Feb. 21, Le Pen expressed his views on the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, declaring, "Three thousand deaths—that is how many die in Iraq in a month and it's far less than the deaths in the Marseille or Dresden bombings at the end of World War II. (...) The September 11 event, or one could say incident, prompted a certain number of people to distance themselves (from Islamic extremism) to avoid falling under the barrage of accusations that was then unleashed."

On Feb. 22, Bayrou explained his recent surge in voting intention surveys, saying, "Everywhere in Europe, there is a desire to escape from quarrels which are essentially those of the 20th century, the quarrels of the Berlin Wall, left and right. (...) When the people want a new deal, it is very difficult to stop it. And they have found a candidate who responds to their aspirations."

On Feb. 23, Sarkozy voiced his views on the European Constitution, saying, "It is not the French and Dutch referendums which have triggered Europe's crisis, it is Europe's crisis which has caused the rejection of the constitution. (...) I believe that there is a big understanding, a big comprehension, and that the idea of a simplified treaty is an idea which at least raises a lot of interest."

Also on Feb. 23, Bayrou said voters are questioning the ability of the two frontrunners, saying, "Royal and Sarkozy are promising huge manifestos with spending plans worth tens of billions of euros and the French just don't believe them any more."

On Feb. 26, Le Pen appealed to low-income voters, saying, "I call on France's seven million poor people to wake up to the global tragedy caused by planetary financial capitalism led by a few predators whose only target is double-digit profit in a nation called Money. (...) We shouldn't blame immigrants for these policies. Those who bear the exclusive responsibility are French politicians who are today represented by the candidates Royal, Sarkozy and Bayrou, disguised in their First Communion outfits."

Also on Feb. 26, Royal criticized Sarkozy without mentioning his name, saying, "Twice—so it wasn't a momentary lapse—he denounced the slaughter of sheep in baths by certain Muslims for the festival of Eid. That, it's odious; it's the vocabulary of the extreme right."

On Feb. 27, Sarkozy responded to Bayrou's recent proposal for a French unity government, saying, "Look at what's happening in Italy. The (Romano) Prodi government, 109 ministers, 11 parties in coalition. Where does that lead? Resignation after three months."

On Mar. 1, Le Pen acknowledged that he is having a hard time generating the 500 signatures from elected officials required to register his candidacy, adding, "Having represented six million voters in the second round of the last presidential election, it would be unreasonable if I could not run."

On Mar. 5, Sarkozy said France would benefit from Le Pen and other candidates participating in the campaign and urged regional officials to back the 77-year-old's bid, saying, "Democracy must not be confiscated by just a few people."

On Mar. 7, Sarkozy discussed his views on defence, saying, "I intend to strengthen the powers of parliament in terms of controlling the secret services, approving the presence and modalities of the overseas missions of our armed forces, launching major armament programs and ratifying defence accords."

On Mar. 8, Sarkozy proposed changes to the current cabinet, saying, "I want a ministry of national immigration and national identity because today, the immigration portfolio is split between three different ministries." Buffet branded the idea as "xenophobic."

Also on Mar. 8, Royal positioned herself as the only viable opposition to Sarkozy, declaring, "I will prove that I am the one who embodies—and will bring about—change." Former finance minister and PS member Dominique Strauss-Kahn criticized the UDF candidate in an editorial, saying, "Bayrou's idea of national unity would do little except play into the hands of extremism."

On Mar. 11, French president Jacques Chirac announced he would not seek a third term in office. Sarkozy said he has "never felt like anybody's heir," adding, "France is the republic, it is not something you inherit. Le Pen branded Chirac as "the worst president of the republic in the history of France."

Also on Mar. 11, Lepage officially withdrew from the race and endorsed Bayrou, declaring, "We share many common points, such as raising the moral standard of public life, fighting corruption and installing a true judicial power."

On Mar. 12, French prime minister Dominique de Villepin endorsed Sarkozy, declaring, "I will be at his side. We were together in government, we will be together in this battle."

On Mar. 13, equal opportunities minister Azouz Begag shunned Sarkozy and endorsed Bayrou, declaring, "Diversity belongs to neither the right nor the left. This divide doesn't work for me, either." In addition, Liberal Alternative (AL) leader Edouard Fillias—who had not registered considerable support in any voting intention poll—withdrew from the presidential race to back the UDF leader.

On Mar. 15, Le Pen submitted the 500 signatures from elected officials in 30 regions required to register his candidacy, declaring, "There was a deliberate, organized attempt at sabotage. It was very worrying. It was harder than in 2002."

Also on Mar. 15, Sarkozy discussed his views on immigration, saying, "A person who enters France illegally, a person who makes no attempt to integrate, that person should not expect to have the same rights as a French person. (...) I want to protect France and its values."

On Mar. 16, Le Figaro published excerpts of an upcoming book by PS lawmaker Eric Besson. The legislator questions Royal's abilities, and claims France will be on "a very dangerous slope" if she wins the election. Royal advisor Claude Bartolone dismissed the criticism, saying, "If all those who are vexed write a book, we'll need to open a new library."

On Mar. 19, Royal said she would call for a referendum in September to overhaul France's institutions if she were elected president. Royal said she would like to form the "sixth republic" by granting more powers to legislators and the prime minister, adding, "We will make this new republic, of which you will be the actors and avant-garde, a success."

Also on Mar. 19, Bayrou discussed political reform, saying, "I think that France has its own project for society and that this project cannot be lifted from those of another (country). In France we should not try and copy any other political model whatsoever. We have our own project and our own values."

On Mar. 21, Chirac endorsed Sarkozy, declaring, "Five years ago, I called for the creation of the UMP to allow France to pursue a rigorous policy of modernization. In all its diversity, this political movement chose to support the candidacy of Nicolas Sarkozy in the presidential election, because of his qualities. Naturally, I will therefore bring him my vote and my support."

On Mar. 22, Sarkozy responded to outgoing French president Jacques Chirac's endorsement—which some have deemed as half-hearted and belated—saying, "I am very touched by this decision. It is important for me on a political level, as well as on a personal level."

Also on Mar. 22, Bayrou called for a "peaceful revolution" in a campaign event, adding, "What France needs is for these two parties in power for 25 years to be thrown out of power—out of the comfort of power and the comfort of the opposition."

Both Royal and Bayrou have criticized China for blocking United Nations (UN) sanctions against Sudan related to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur. In March, Bayrou suggested an Olympic boycott, declaring, "France will take pride in refusing to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing if China persists on this path."

On Mar. 25, excerpts from a book written by Royal, which details her life and views, were released by several media outlets. The PS candidate writes: "I was born into a right-wing milieu. I do not share (the right's) social pessimism, its respect for the established disorder, its veneration for laissez-faire economics. It was in leftist politics that I discovered the desire for emancipation and fraternity."

On Mar. 26, Royal urged all citizens to learn the national anthem and fly a French flag at home, claiming that an effort is required to "reconquer" patriotic symbols from the "far right." Bové criticized the PS candidate, saying, "Royal urging people to put up the flag—for what? To figure out that those who don't are not good French people? It could be dangerous." Besancenot also voiced disapproval, saying, "Voters' real concerns are to have food in their home and a job, they could care less about having a flag in their homes."

Also on Mar. 26, Sarkozy left cabinet and was replaced by François Baroin, who handled the overseas territories portfolio. The UMP candidate declared: "Here I am, free to go out and meet the French people." On the same day, research minister François Goulard endorsed Bayrou.

On Mar. 27, a police officer arrested an illegal immigrant at Paris' Gare du Nord station, after he allegedly refused to show his ticket. The officers claim the 33-year-old man "attacked staff", while witnesses declared he was "manhandled."

On Mar. 28, the FN released a statement, which read: "The repetition of riots point to the failure of the supposed 'security policy' of Sarkozy. The situation is the direct consequence of the massive and insane immigration policy conducted by successive governments over the past 30 years."

On Mar. 30, EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes criticized Sarkozy, saying, "I was really shocked when I read the Financial Times this morning that one of the candidates was pleading for more national champions and more protectionist action. It is outdated to talk about national champions. It is outdated to talk about protectionism."

On Apr. 2, Sarkozy released a book, declaring, "I wanted the French people to know my values, my conception of politics and the exercise of power, the ambition I have for France (...) and the way I will run the country if I am elected."

Also on Apr. 2, Sarkozy criticized Royal, saying, "What should I say when she said 'ignoble' when I pronounced the word 'national identity'?" The PS candidate struck back, declaring, "Mr. Sarkozy is a liar, and is a liar fit to become president of the republic? I never made such remarks. This man, who is prepared to do anything and say anything in this presidential campaign, I think it has to stop."

On Apr. 3, Bayrou declared he would abolish France's École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) if he got elected to the presidency. The ENA is France's finishing school for the French elite, from which most major political figures have graduated, including PS presidential candidate Royal.

Bayrou explained his rationale, declaring, "The ENA perpetuates a uniform elite. This single mould is a weakness of French society." Royal responded to the UDF candidate's statement, saying, "I don't know if he meant that he wants to abolish me."

On Apr. 4, Bayrou accused French public opinion companies of bias but still predicted a good showing, declaring, "I don't understand why all the voters who say they want me to be elected are less worthy of respect than those who vote for the others. In all presidential elections, the leading candidates have all suffered an erosion in the final three weeks."

On Apr. 5, Royal discussed her views on gender equality, saying, "The fight for women in France isn't over. But the time for women has come and I hope the French will have the courage to make this bold choice in the presidential election."

Also on Apr. 5, Sarkozy expressed satisfaction for the support of France's first lady during a campaign rally, declaring, "I want to tell Bernadette Chirac that for us two, this is a form of achievement. (...) And if today, our family is reunited, that's because at moments when the going was rough, you have managed to bridge the gap."

In early April, Sarkozy discussed his views on suicide, saying, "There are 1,200 or 1,300 young people who commit suicide in France every year. It's not because of a lack of attention from their parents. It's because, genetically, they are fragile and have a pre-existing sadness." Bayrou said Sarkozy's statements were "terribly worrying" and "chilling."

On Apr. 8, Le Pen defended his controversial remarks on sex education, saying, "When they asked me, whether I agreed with the distribution of condoms to young secondary school children, I said listen (...) they could always use the 'manu militari' method. It's much less dangerous than using condoms."

In April, Le Pen questioned Sarkozy's roots, saying, "France could have done without Nicolas Sarkozy who would have perhaps had a very nice career in Hungary. I am a candidate from this land. There is a choice there which might be considered fundamental by a certain number of French people."

On Apr. 10, Sarkozy replied to the FN candidate, saying, "Jean-Marie Le Pen said there was a difference between him and me. He's right. We are different, very different, I would add. (...) I am not shocked. I am a candidate for the presidency."

On Apr. 11, Sarkozy dismissed a published report which suggested that he would grant a "disguised amnesty" to current French president Jacques Chirac, which would spare Chirac from prosecution. The UMP candidate declared: "The report is in no way based on reality, I deny it in the most firm and complete terms."

Bayrou seized on the controversy and criticized Sarkozy, saying, "This way of always doing things under the table via secret agreements is the exact opposite of what I want."

Also on Apr. 11, Royal expressed dissatisfaction with the $11.4 million U.S. severance pay awarded to former EADS executive Noel Forgeard, saying, "It's a scandal, it's a provocation, especially in this company where the state is a shareholder. If I am elected president of the republic, in firms where the state is a shareholder, the state will exercise its responsibilities, that is to say, will make public the remuneration of top executives of companies as it is in northern Europe."

On Apr. 13, Royal accused Sarkozy of pandering to the far-right, saying, "I hope the conditions will be right to prevent Nicolas Sarkozy from becoming president. His team's flirting with proportional representation shows that contacts with the National Front have gone deep and that worries me enormously."

On Apr. 14, international soccer star Lilian Thuram criticized the UMP candidate, declaring, "Sarkozy's rhetoric isn't quasi-racist, it is racist. When you start to divide people and see one group here, Muslims there, the blacks over there, you teach people to see others as different. What is being integrated? My mother is French, my father is French. Why do I have to be 'integrated'? Because I am black. You'd never ask if a white man was integrated."

On Apr. 15, Royal rejected an eventual alliance with the UDF, declaring, "Bayrou is a respectable personality, but he has no program and no team. Millions of French would feel cheated if the second round deprived them of a real choice."

On Apr. 16, Le Pen lashed out at Sarkozy, declaring, "You have not understood the forceful anger of the French—pillaged, ruined, desperate, up against the scum politician of which you are one of the chiefs and one of the emblems. You have only one nationality, Sarkozienne nationality. The French blood that you despise, much of it has been spilt to defend the liberty and independence of France."

Also on Apr. 16, current PS leader François Hollande called on left and centre sympathizers to cast a "useful ballot" and support Royal, adding, "I cannot express a specific fear or an excessive confidence."

Also on Apr. 16, the PS and UDF candidates ruled out a deal before the first round of the presidential election. Royal declared: "I will not forge an alliance or strike a deal behind the voters' backs." Bayrou said: "There is no agreement about an alliance imaginable."

On Apr. 17, Sarkozy met with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and discussed Middle East affairs, saying, "I would guarantee the security of Israel but I also want a homeland for the Palestinians, a state for the Palestinians. I want independence for Lebanon and I want to have relations of trust with the various Arab governments."

Also on Apr. 17, Royal vowed to slash government spending, saying, "We must end this monarchical drift which consists in believing that a head of state can spend public money without control or limit. We know France's public deficit situation and I think it's at the highest level of the state where we should show an example."

Also on Apr. 17, Le Pen blamed the media for turning him into a "controversial person", adding, "I embody, for my part and myself alone, patriotic and national values in France. I am neither a xenophobe nor a racist, but a Francophile. I am the only French politician who dares to denounce the system and to propose radical solutions to the various problems from which France has been suffering for decades."

On the last week of campaigning, two leading French newspapers—Le Monde and Liberation—urged their readers not to support Bayrou in the first round, claiming it would deprive the European country of a true choice in the run-off.

In an interview published in the Financial Times on Apr. 18, Sarkozy alleged that his character would be good for his campaign, saying, "When (Charles) de Gaulle was a candidate, some people marched with placards reading, 'Fascism won't get through.' When François Mitterrand was elected, part of the right said there would be Russian tanks in the Place de la Concorde. These people have disappeared."

On Apr. 18, Royal discussed her plans to generate more jobs, saying, "With my proposal, young people will have a tutor to accompany them in relevant training programs. One thing's for sure: I want to win the battle against unemployment."

Also on Apr. 18, Le Pen said Sarkozy is "not French enough" to become president, and said he would abolish existing laws that penalize people who make anti-Semitic or racist comments.

On Apr. 19, Sarkozy expressed disappointment with the behaviour of his rivals, declaring, "I've had my share of insults and lies. When candidates have no ideas, no arguments, no convictions, when they believe in nothing and don't work, they have no other option than insult, lies and insinuation."

Also on Apr. 19, Le Pen urged French citizens to vote against the "political elite", adding, "I am proud to lead you to victory because I feel that change is on the horizon like a sign from heaven. Yes, this farce is over. It is time to get out of this mess."

On Apr. 20, Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero endorsed Royal, declaring, "Segolene knows how to serve Europe. Segolene is change. Segolene is the future."

Also on Apr. 20, Le Pen predicted a surprise in the election, adding, "They have all moved right except me. (...) I have no quarrel with Sarkozy and he has been the picture of courtesy with me. We are like two boxers in a match, not enemies."

Also on Apr. 20, Sarkozy discussed the campaign, saying, "My family has suffered a lot from certain provocations. I have chosen to protect them. It's deliberate and I take responsibility for it. Political life is extremely hard. The attacks against me are much heavier than against others."

Polls released on the final days of the campaign showed that no candidate was likely to garner more than 50 per cent of the vote.

First round voting took place on Apr. 22. Final results put Nicolas Sarkozy of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) in first place with 31.18 per cent of the vote, followed by Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party (PS) with 25.87 per cent, Union for French Democracy (UDF) leader François Bayrou with 18.57 per cent, and Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) with 10.44 per cent.

Since no candidate garnered more than 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off featuring the top two vote-getters will take place on May 6.

Sarkozy said he was ready for the second round, saying, "The debate should be a real debate of ideas. I invite all French people, whatever their origin, whatever their beliefs, whatever their party to unite with me." Royal declared: "You have given me the responsibility of continuing the fight for change in order that France rises up."

Click here for the France's 2007 Second Round Election Tracker

Turnout for the first round was tabled at 84.8%, the highest in almost five decades.

Political Players

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