FRANCE: Socialist presidential hopeful Hollande casts his vote in his political fiefdom of Tulle, in an election that could make him the first Socialist president in 17 years
Record ID:
327778
FRANCE: Socialist presidential hopeful Hollande casts his vote in his political fiefdom of Tulle, in an election that could make him the first Socialist president in 17 years
- Title: FRANCE: Socialist presidential hopeful Hollande casts his vote in his political fiefdom of Tulle, in an election that could make him the first Socialist president in 17 years
- Date: 7th May 2012
- Summary: TULLE, FRANCE (MAY 6, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOCIALIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANCOIS HOLLANDE GREETING SUPPORTERS AS HE ARRIVES ( PARTNER VALERIE TRIERWEILER IN WHITE COAT) HOLLANDE WAVING AS HE ENTERS POLLING STATION TULLE, FRANCE (MAY 6, 2012) (SOCIALIST PARTY POOL) HOLLANDE COMING OUT OF POLLING BOOTH HOLLANDE GREETING PEOPLE HOLLANDE PUTTING HIS ENVELOPE INTO BALLOT BOX HOLLANDE SIGNING REGISTER TULLE, FRANCE (MAY 6, 2012) (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE POLLING STATION HOLLANDE AND VALERIE TRIERWEILER COMING OUT AND WAVING HOLLANDE FLANKED BY SUPPORTERS AND MEDIA
- Embargoed: 22nd May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: France
- Country: France
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAETNAIXXEP11VRL1ERPG654897
- Story Text: Socialist president Francois Hollande cast his vote in his political stronghold of Tulle on Sunday (May 6), in an election that could make him France's first Socialist president in 17 years and Nicolas Sarkozy the 11th European leader to be swept from office by the economic crisis.
Final opinion polls give Hollande a lead of around six points for the decisive round against President Nicolas Sarkozy, suggesting he could be a day from becoming the first Socialist to win a French presidential election since 1988.
Hollande's lead narrowed to just four points in one survey on Friday, and he admitted to being slightly on edge as he wandered around the town of Tulle in south-western France which has been his political base for three decades.
Hollande, a mild-mannered and popular career politician, has held a steady lead for weeks after outlining a comprehensive program in January based on raising taxes, especially on high earners, to finance spending and keep the public deficit capped.
As much as his own program, he is benefiting from a tide of anti-Sarkozy sentiment due in part to the incumbent's showy and occasionally arrogant personal style and in part to anger over the same economic gloom that has felled leaders from Britain to Portugal.
Polling stations are open from 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) to 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Sunday, and two hours later in big cities.
Reliable projections of the result based on a partial vote count will be published as soon as the last polling stations close. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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