How the frogs do it

France opts for left-right battle

Via the BBC

Centre-right candidate Nicolas Sarkozy will face Socialist Segolene Royal in the run-off of France's presidential election on 6 May.

With all the votes counted in Sunday's first round, Mr Sarkozy had 31%. Ms Royal, bidding to be France's first woman leader, got nearly 26%.

Centrist Francois Bayrou had 18%, and far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen almost 11%.

Voting reached near-record levels, with turnout put at almost 85% - the highest for nearly 50 years.

Disillusionment with politicians and their promises did not translate into apathy, reports the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris.

(Click & Read on courtesy of the BBC)