Addressing his supporters in a last-ditch effort, the incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy promised economic growth, saying the future of France was at “stake”.
Despite the rally, which drew a crowd of nearly 75,000 people, the success chances of the French president are rapidly shrinking. He’s back to trailing in the final round by as many as 14 points and has lost his first-round lead.
Meanwhile, across town, supporters of Socialist Francois Hollande were at an equally large rally but in far greater spirits.
Addressing left-wing voters, Hollande slammed Sarkozy’s economic policies, saying he could feel the country was on the brink of change.
“I feel a great hope mounting from the depths of our country. A calm, firm, lucid hope of a change for the better,” he said.
According to latest surveys, Hollande has regained momentum for the first round vote and predicted to win a May 6 runoff by between 9 and 14 percentage points.
Hollande recently joked that his new slogan should be “We’re going to win”.
The first round of the 2012 French presidential election will take place on 22 April 2012, with a second round run-off, if necessary, to be held on May 6.
AO/ MFB
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