Hollande steals poll march on Sarkozy / Le Pen fille delivers right’s ‘big surprise’/ Sarkozy seeks to ‘preserve our way of life’ / Le Pen surge poses challenge to Hollande

Reports on the results of the first round of the Presidential Election in France, 22 April 2012.

Socialist Party candidate François Hollande took a narrow lead in the first round, setting up a run-off with Nicolas Sarkozy after a vote that saw one in five ballots go to the far right National Front.

ESO: Background information: French presidential election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2012/

France24, 22.4.12: Hollande wins first round, sets up run-off with Sarkozy http://www.france24.com/en/20120422-socialist-hollande-advance-runoff-french-presidential-election-le-pen

BBC News, 23.4.12: France election: Hollande takes lead into second round http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17809952

Deutsche Welle, 23.4.12: Hollande and Le Pen emerge as major winners in France's election http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15903892,00.html

EUObserver, 23.4.12: France: Hollande leads, Le Pen shocks in third place http://euobserver.com/843/115976

Le Monde, 23.4.12: Score de Marine Le Pen : le message de la "France des invisibles" http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2012/article/2012/04/23/score-de-marine-le-pen-le-message-de-la-france-des-invisibles_1689734_1471069.html

Libération, 23.4.12: Hollande premier, Sarkozy distancié, Le Pen placée http://www.liberation.fr/politiques/2012/04/23/hollande-premier-sarkozy-distancie-le-pen-placee_813730

Le Figaro, 23.4.12: Hollande reprend 35 départements à Sarkozy http://elections.lefigaro.fr/presidentielle-2012/2012/04/23/01039-20120423ARTFIG00445-35-departements-ont-bascule-de-sarkozy-a-hollande.php

L'Humanité, 23.4.12: Pari perdu pour Nicolas Sarkozy http://www.humanite.fr/politique/pari-perdu-pour-nicolas-sarkozy-495130

Le Monde / Libération, 23.4.12: The crisis has voted against Sarkozy / Marine Le Pen outdoes her father (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/1859631-crisis-has-voted-against-sarkozy

France24, 23.4.12: Le Pen wants to conquer the French right wing http://www.france24.com/en/20120423-le-pen-wants-conquer-french-right-wing

Spiegel Online International, 23.4.12: Le Pen's Result 'Is a Blemish on French Democracy' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,829218,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 23.4.12: French Voters Show Their Anger with Sarkozy http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,829095,00.html

EurActiv, 23.4.12: Far right looms over Hollande-Sarkozy duel http://www.euractiv.com/elections/far-right-looms-hollande-sarkozy-duel-news-512309

Toute l'Europe, 23.4.12: Revue de presse : La presse européenne s'inquiète de la percée du Front National http://www.touteleurope.eu/fr/divers/toutes-les-revues-de-presse/revue-de-presse-quotidienne/afficher/fiche/5853/t/130440/from/2896/breve/revue-de-presse-la-presse-europeenne-sinquiete-de-la-percee-du-front-national.html?cHash=9b5389f61a

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