Francois Hollande: France

Economic Climate Dept: Mr. Sarkozy, defending his record on the campaign trail, has repeatedly pointed to a tough economic climate and debt troubles across Europe not just in France, according to Globe and Mail. While they are not expected to win, a strong performance by one or all of them could cast a shadow over the second round vote. Polls show the five other candidates are expected to receive low single-digit percentages and polls for months have showed that the conservative Mr. Sarkozy who has been relatively unpopular for months, if not years and Francois Hollande, a Socialist, are likely to make the cut. But with turnout a looming question, surprises could await among candidates including far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen, Communist-backed firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon or centrist Francois Bayrou. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.