French voters are casting ballots in the decisive round of their presidential election, with incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy trying to battle back a challenge from socialiast Francois Hollande, winner of the first round. Hollande would be the first socialist candidate to win a French presidential election since 1988. The election is being closely watched for the impact it is expected to have on the euro zone debt crisis going forward.
From the BBC:
Mr Hollande, hoping to become the first socialist to win a French presidential election since 1988, cast his vote on Sunday morning in the central town of Tulle, his political heartland.
“It’s going to be a long day,” he told reporters at the polling station. “It’s up to the French people to decide if it’s going to be a good day.”
Mr Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni, voted in a chic district in Paris but made no comment.
By midday, turnout stood at 30.66%, according to the French interior ministry.
