|
Paris:
Millions voted Sunday in the first round of presidential elections
in France, a country bogged down by weak economy and high
unemployment, issues that may spell trouble for incumbent Nicolas
Sarkozy.
As many as 44.3 million registered French voters will choose from
among 10 candidates, including Sarkozy's main rival Socialist
Francois Hollande.
Sarkozy cast his ballot in Paris along with his wife Carla
Bruni-Sarkozy just before noon. He waved to the crowds and left
without making any statement.
Hollande has emerged as a front-runner, and if Sarkozy loses, he
will become the first president not to win a second term since
Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1981, reported BBC.
Hollande, representing the biggest opposition Socialist Party
(PS), cast his ballot in Tulle, central France, where he served as
mayor from 2001 to 2008, reported Xinhua.
"I am attentive, engaged, and above all respectable. That's what
the French vote for," Hollande told reporters, adding that the day
was "an important moment".
Earlier in the day, Francois Bayrou, representing Democratic
Movement (Modem), Jean-Luc Melenchon, candidate of the Left Front
and Marine Le Pen, candidate representing the far right National
Front (FN), also voted in their respective constituencies.
A latest IFOP survey released Friday showed Sarkozy running
neck-and-neck with Hollande, with both projected to garner 27
percent of the vote.
Marine Le Pen, a candidate from the National Front, trailed behind
with 16 percent of the vote, according to the survey.
According to French law, no exit poll or release of early results
of the first round of the presidential election is allowed before
all polling stations are closed.
Sarkozy is seeking a re-election and says he can preserve a
"strong France".
But challenger Hollande says it is "the left's turn to govern".
There will be a run-off round May 6.
Sarkozy, who has been in office since 2007, promised during the
campaign to reduce France's large budget deficit.
Hollande has vowed to raise taxes on big corporations and people
earning more than 1 million euros a year.
If elected, he would be France's first left-wing president since
Francois Mitterrand, who completed two seven-year terms between
1981 and 1995.
France is one of the most developed countries with the fifth
largest economy in the world. In 2011, its GDP reached $2.808
trillion, with an annual growth rate of 1.8 percent.
France enjoys a leading position in sectors such as nuclear power,
aerospace, and railway. According to the latest data, in 2010,
France's export totalled $508.7 billion dollars, and its imports
stood at $577.7 billion.
France Factsheet
Here are key facts on France, where
voting in the first round of the 2012 French presidential election
took place Sunday.
Located in western Europe, France shares its borders with Belgium,
Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and
Andorra. It is also linked to Britain by the Channel Tunnel which
passes underneath the English Channel.
With a total area of 632,834 sq km, France is the third largest
country in Europe behind Russia and Ukraine. Its population
reached 65.8 million as of January 2011, reported Xinhua.
France is one of the most developed countries with the fifth
largest economy in the world. In 2011, its GDP reached $2.808
trillion, with an annual growth rate of 1.8 percent.
France enjoys a leading position in sectors such as nuclear power,
aerospace, and railway. According to the latest data, in 2010,
France's export totaled $508.7 billion dollars, and its imports
stood at $577.7 billion.
France is also a leading agricultural producer and exporter in
Europe. Wheat, poultry, dairy, beef and pork, as well as
internationally recognized foodstuff and wine are primary French
agricultural exports.
With a long history and abundant cultural and natural heritage,
France is one of the most visited country in the world, receiving
around 82 million foreign tourists annually.
|
Comments
|
Quick links