French choose next President

May 5 - 44 million French voters decide between left and right in Sunday's poll

Nicolas Sarkozy goes into Sunday's election the clear front-runner, around ten points ahead of his rival, Segolene Royal.

Richard Edgar reports on the factors swaying minds in and around Paris.

Follow Reuters Global Coverage of the French presidential election.

• Sarkozy wins French presidency
  Nicolas Sarkozy has won a clear mandate to govern France and introduce reforms to shake up Europe's second largest economy.
  • Protesters riot across France
    Rioters clash with police across France after Sarkozy wins the presidential elections.
  • Sarkozy is announced the winner of French elections
    Conservative leader Nicolas Sarkozy comfortably beats Socialist rival Segolene Royal in French presidential elections.
  • Royal throws in the towel
    Socialist leader Segolene Royal concedes defeat to newly-elected French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
  • Belgian sites forecast Sarkozy victory
    Conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy is on course to win France's presidential elections, say Belgian media.
  • Global Covearge: French presidential elections
    Darcy Lambton speaks to Reuters reporter Richard Edgar on the ground in Paris as the country's bitterly contested presidential run off nears the finishing line.
  • French choose next President
    Richard Edgar reports on the factors swaying minds of voters in and around Paris on the eve of the election.
  • Presidential candidates vote
    Segolene Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy cast their votes at the end of a long campaign in an election that is going to see a new French president for the first time since 1995.
  • Sarkozy would 'meet resistance'
    If elected president, right wing Nicolas Sarkozy would face strong opposition, according to a Parisian commentator.
  • Analyst predicts a divided France
    As votes are cast in France, the person eventually elected will have a tough task uniting the nation.
    • Global Coverage: The week preceding the election
      Reuters provides in-depth analysis in the week preceding the presidential race in France.