French voters brace for presidential poll
- 12 years ago
The voice of the French people is about to be heard, as millions of voters prepare to cast their ballots for president.
Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist challenger Francois Hollande are nearly matched in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's first round.
Though the election only officially began a few short weeks ago, candidates have been on the campaign trail for months.
In one of his last appeals, President Sarkozy promises to halve immigration, reform welfare, and push for tougher European Union conditions on trade with emerging nations.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYING:
"The minute we relax pressure on spending cuts, on deficit cuts and cuts in indebtedness, France will suffer the same fate as Spain."
Hollande says he'll take on big business in a show of solidarity with the French electorate.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) SOCIALIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANCOIS HOLLANDE SAYING:
"My real enemy doesn't have a name, or a face, or a party, he'll never run as president. And so he'll never be elected, although he does govern. My enemy is the world of finance."
Fourth ranking in the polls, far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon says that bringing Sarkozy down will set an example for other countries in Europe.
Megan Detrie, Reuters
Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist challenger Francois Hollande are nearly matched in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's first round.
Though the election only officially began a few short weeks ago, candidates have been on the campaign trail for months.
In one of his last appeals, President Sarkozy promises to halve immigration, reform welfare, and push for tougher European Union conditions on trade with emerging nations.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYING:
"The minute we relax pressure on spending cuts, on deficit cuts and cuts in indebtedness, France will suffer the same fate as Spain."
Hollande says he'll take on big business in a show of solidarity with the French electorate.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) SOCIALIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANCOIS HOLLANDE SAYING:
"My real enemy doesn't have a name, or a face, or a party, he'll never run as president. And so he'll never be elected, although he does govern. My enemy is the world of finance."
Fourth ranking in the polls, far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon says that bringing Sarkozy down will set an example for other countries in Europe.
Megan Detrie, Reuters