The presidential run-off election in France

If there is no clear winner during the first round of presidential election, France uses a two-round system where two top vote getters fight for presidency and a voter uses a single vote to elect a president.

During the Sunday, April 22, 2012 first round of presidential election, none of the candidate took in an absolute majority. The incumbent President, Nicholas Sarkozy, received 27.2 percent, while Hollande received 28.6 percent and Le Pen receiving 18 percent. There were many others who received less than the three main candidates. Since no one received the absolute majority (over 50 percent), the presidential run-off between the two top vote getters (Hollande and Sarkozy) is scheduled for May 6, 2012.

Outcome of the run-off election is somewhat hazy. The leftist candidate, Hollande may receive the 11 percent received by the far-left candidate Jean-Luc during the first round of election. President Sarkozy is trying hard to win the 18 percent received by the far-right candidate Le Pen. However, she has not endorsed any candidate at this writing. Other European nations as well as the European Union are concerned that views expressed by the President Sarkozy to woo the far-right votes may lead to some unrest after the election.