Socialist Francois Hollande edge ahead of Sarkozy in French presidential election

PARIS: The campaign for the presidential election run-off in France ended on Friday.

Socialist Francois Hollande seems to be going on to defeat current president and right-wing incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hollande urged voters to hand him a big victory on Sunday so that he would have a strong mandate to implement his left-wing programme and fight EU-driven austerity.

“I want an ample victory,” Hollande said. “If the French people must make a choice, they should do so clearly, overwhelmingly, so the winner has the capacity and means to act.” He was very confident of his victory.

He said, “I will have no grace period, the country’s problems will not disappear with the eventual departure of Nicolas Sarkozy. He won’t take the public debt, unemployment and social problems with him.”

Sarkozy on the other hand feels that the race is still close. He urged his supporters to flock the polls. He told to radio, “I feel there will be a very strong turnout in the second round and that really we are in a state of very close equality.

It will play on very little.” He further added, “I don’t think anyone wants France to be in the situation that Spain is in today, after seven years of Socialist government, Look at Spain, Do you want the same situation? The issue isn’t to frighten. The issue is to look across our border.”

The last week of the campaign was very fierce and contenders also attack each other personally. Many Voters also not like flashy style of Sarkozy and wants a normal president like Hollande.”As in other countries, a transitional phase will take place.

It will last more or less a week as Nicolas Sarkozy’s mandate ends on May 16. It could be a little before,” said campaign Chief Pierre Moscovici.”During this transitional phase the teams and first measures will be prepared,” he said.