The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
April 23, 2012

French Socialist Candidate Beats Sarkozy in First Round Vote 
-------------------------------------------------------------


 
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suffered a political setback after
narrowly losing France's first-round presidential election to Socialist
candidate François Hollande. The far-right wing candidate Marine Le Pen
of the National Front placed third with 18 percent of the vote. Hollande
said the French vote is a reaction against austerity measures taken by
Sarkozy.

François Hollande: "This is a gesture of confidence in the project that
I presented to the French to rebuild our country with justice, to
perfect finances, to find growth and jobs. To reduce debt, to protect
our industries, to promote values of the Republic. To prepare the future
and transition of energy."

Sarkozy will now be forced to reach out to supporters of the far-right
National Front in an effort to win the general election. Earlier today
he vowed to get tough on immigration and security.

 

.