The Interior Ministry: Francois Hollande

Nicolas Sarkozy Dept: The Interior Ministry said early turnout figures showed an impressive 70.6 per cent of France's 44-million-plus voters cast ballots by 5 p.m. local time, outstripping the numbers in the four previous races., according to CBC. The runoff will be held if no one gets at least 50 per cent of the vote and french officials are reporting a solid turnout in the first round of the country's presidential election and Nicolas Sarkozy's uncertain bid for a second, five-year term in office. Of the 10 candidates vying to lead the country, centre-right Sarkozy and Socialist candidate Francois Hollande are expected to go on to the second and deciding round of voting on May 6. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.