Frankreich: Vor der Stichwahl # 24.04.2012 01 Uhr # frank02b # Journal Englisch

We begin in France - where President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Socialist challenger Francois Hollande have sharpened their political attacks on the first day of campaigning in the country's presidential run-off. Hollande took 28- percent of the vote, beating Sarkozy by just over one percent in voting in the first round on Sunday. One of the surprises was the strong performance of the far right National Front, with its leader Marine Le Pen scoring almost 18- percent. The run-off vote is on May 6th.