AS THE POLLS open in France, voters have the choice of 10 candidates in the first round of the 2012 presidential election.

According to France 24, about 44.5 million people are eligible to vote in today’s ballot which opened at 8am (CET).

The bitter election campaign has been watched closely across Europe as whoever wins the top job in France has undeniable influence at EU tables.

Like a very cruel reality contest, the group of 10 will be whittled down very swiftly with just two making the cut for the decisive 6 May vote.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has stood behind her political ally and incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy who is likely to be joined by Socialist candidate Francois Hollande in the final two.

However, far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen could throw up a surprise, as could Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon or centrist Francois Bayrou.

Campaigning was halted at midnight on Friday, giving the electorate 24-hours to mull over the decision.

Almost one million French people who have full voting rights cast their ballots in the country’s overseas territories, including islands in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, yesterday.
TheJournal.ie’s Hugh O’Connell has put together an explainer of exactly what is happening in France today and what will happen over the next three weeks.

-Additional reporting by AP

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