Hollande wins French presidential election with 51,9 % of votes

[umbertino]

First official results show Socialist candidate Francois Hollande defeated incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy, who managed to secure only 48,1 percent of the votes.

The estimates were carried by French media after all polling stations closed at 2000 (18:00 GMT).

Hollande will be the first French socialist president since 1995.

The socialist candidate capitalized on France's economic woes and President Sarkozy's unpopularity. He has also promised to raise taxes on big corporations and people earning more than 1m euros a year, and lower the retirement age to 60.

Sarkozy, who has been in office since 2007, had promised to reduce France's large budget deficit through budget cuts.

It is only the second time an incumbent president fails to win re-election since the start of France Fifth Republic in 1958.

Hollande is expected to be inaugurated later this month.

Analysts suggest this election result could have great implications on the entire Eurozone.

Numbers showed this presidential election was one of the most popular among voters, with turnout reaching a record high of over 80 percent.

http://rt.com/news/france-election-hollande-victory-704/

[yota691]

Thks 4 post, kinda thought this would be the outcome, I like the 80 %, the USA elections will be in Record ##!! IMO

[bamagirl]

I like the 80% too Yota and think we will break records this year too..... thanks for posting Umb..

[georgiaboy]

If we had an 80% turn out for 2012 election Romney will be toast. Obama will win in a landslide.

[betty1970]

Yes just seen the result over here in the Uk Umbertino, he wants to spend his way out of it, we'll see! Always works for me, austerity bwah!!

[bamagirl]

If we had an 80% turn out for 2012 election Romney will be toast. Obama will win in a landslide.

Not if the right 80% gets off their butts and the conservative vote doesn't get split....

[ErnMor]

Steal from the rich,give it to the poor. [ Robin Hood Syndrome ].Don't suppose calling thieves and murderers[HOODS] came from this do you. Even[ AL Capone ]operated soup kitchens. People loved them both,as long as the free lunch was there. Socialists will do it on a much larger scale.