FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: ROYAL & SARKOZY IN GRAND FINAL

The nation has spoken. The results from yesterday's first round presidential elections show France is polarised between the left and the right in its political opinions. Sarkozy won the round with 31% while Royal came in second with 26% of the vote. Interestingly, this election had the highest participation rate ever (voting is not compulsory) of 84% indicating how important this election is to France. Bayrou came in third with 18% of votes, while Le Pen scored his worst score ever 0f 10.5%, and is considering stepping down.... I think most people are praying he does.

Royal will need Bayrou's supporters to swing her way if she has a chance to win. The other question is whether France is ready to vote in a female President. On the other hand, Sarkozy is likely to get most of Le Pens votes and probably a large majority of Bayrou's - giving him the pole position for the second (and final round).

To me it seems that France probably needs Sarkozy's tough economic outlook to pull France out of the doldrums, however most French are scared of his approach since France is a really socialist nation . Hearing Sarkozy's campaign, I am reminded of John Howard, and while I may not agree with everything, to me, he sounds like just what the French need..... although he does have some crazy ideas about other things.

We will reconvene in 2 weeks for the big one!