France goes to polls for presidential elections
France is readying itself for the first round of presidential elections in what is expected to be a closely fought contest between the centre-right Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal, the Socialist candidate.
Additionally, the centrist Francois Bayrou and far-right nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen are also in the running to replace Jacques Chirac, who retires after 12 years as the president of the French Republic.
Analysts say that the result is very difficult to predict, although the latest polls before closing indicate that Mr Sarkozy may have an edge over Ms Royal.
Pierre Giacometti, director of the Ipsos agency, told the Associated Press news agency: "The three candidates who can today hope to win are very popular people and that's why there's also a keen interest."
He added that voter turnout is expected to be very high - perhaps as much as 80%, while Paddy Power bookmakers have reported a high level of international interest in the election.
Mr Chirac, the outgoing president, has endorsed Mr Sarkozy as his successor, who was recently the interior minister for finance.
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