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French elections

May 4, 2012

On Sunday, French voters went to the polls in a run-off vote between socialist Francois Hollande and incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. Hollande's win has the potential to change the European political landscape.

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Francois Hollande
Image: Reuters

Francois Hollande edged out his rival Nicolas Sarkozy in a vote that could change the course of France. DW reviews the issues at the heart of the campaign and the lead-up to Hollande's victory.

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Reports & Analysis

France's newly-elected President Francois Hollande delivers his speech after results in the second round vote of the 2012 French presidential elections in Tulle May 6, 2012. France voted in elections on Sunday and Francois Hollande becomes the nation's first Socialist president in 17 years. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Hollande: France's new leader

Francois Hollande was the clear winner in Sunday's election.
May 7, 2012
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Francois Hollande Wins French Election

Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has won the French presidential election in a close vote.
May 7, 201202:21 min
Sarkozy and Hollande

French election

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's struggle to keep up with the socialist François Hollande.
May 2, 2012

Opinion: Time for a change

France's first election round is a severe blow for Sarkozy, says DW's Andreas Noll.
April 23, 2012
Francois Hollande

French election

French socialist Francois Hollande wins the first round of the presidental poll.
April 23, 2012
Francois Hollande

The challenger

Socialist Francois Hollande is the frontrunner in the campaign for the French presidency.
April 16, 2012

The incumbent

President Nicolas Sarkozy hopes to be reelected. But ratings are low, and time's running out.
April 16, 2012
Marine Le Pen

Newly respectable

The French far-right National Front puts up its leader for the presidential election in April.
March 14, 2012
Opposition Socialist Party leader in the French National Assembly, Jean-Marc Ayrault

France's next PM?

Days before the elections, DW talks to the leader of the socialists in the French parliament.
April 18, 2012
Francois Hollande, Socialist Party candidate for the 2012 French presidential election

Collision course

What will happen to Franco-German relations if Francois Hollande becomes the next French President?
March 16, 2012
Marseille: Notre Dame de la garde Vieux Port

Marseille

There's no other French city like Marseille, a melting pot of cultures and creeds.
April 19, 2012
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands next to an European flag

Strategy shift

Chancellor Merkel adds a growth agenda to her strategy to curb the eurozone crisis.
May 1, 2012
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