Hollande, Sarkozy heading to French vote runoff
Hollande, Sarkozy heading to French presidential election runoff; surprise from far right
Socialist Party candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande delivers his speech after the presidential election first round, in Tulle, central France, Sunday, April 22, 2012. Official partial results show Socialist Francois Hollande and conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy are advancing to the runoff of France's presidential elections. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
·Associated PressPARIS (AP) -- Francois Hollande, a mild-mannered French Socialist, is heading into a presidential runoff election with the upper hand over incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy after winning the most votes in the first round of voting.
However, the nearly one in five voters who chose far right candidate Marine Le Pen may hold the key to victory in the decisive vote on May 6.
Hollande remains favorite to win the runoff after besting Sarkozy in the first round.
If Hollande wins the second round, he would become the first socialist president since 1995. His election could also alter Europe's political and economic landscape.
Turnout was surprisingly high, at more than 80 percent, despite concern that a campaign focusing on nostalgia for a more protected past would fail to inspire voters.
