UAE | General
French vote in record election
Voters arrived at the Alliance Francais in Dubai on Sunday in order to cast their ballots in the second part of an election France is billing as a record turnout.
- Gulf News Web Report
- Published: 00:00 May 6, 2007
- Image Credit: Asghar Khan/Gulf News
- One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier.
Dubai: Voters arrived in large numbers at the Alliance Francais in Dubai, and the French embassy in Abu Dhabi on Sunday in order to cast their ballots in the second part of an election France is billing as a record turnout.
Voters will be faced with a choice between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy, who are bidding to succeed Jaques Chirac after 12 years.
Sarkozy and Royal each offer a fundamentally different view of how to run France. Sarkozy, advocates liberal economic reforms and a tough line on immigration, whilst Royal wants to conserve France's generous welfare system.
Belgian media reported that Sarkozy is on course to win France's presidential election with at least 54 percent of the vote.
Quoting unofficial estimates, the RTBF public broadcasting station and the newspapers Le Soir and La Libre Belgique reported Sarkozy is beating Segolene Royal comfortably.
La Libre Belgique daily and RTBF quoted several sources as saying Sarkozy was leading with 53 percent more than two hours before the balloting ends in the main urban centres.
Le Soir, quoting sources close to the French Interior Ministry's political intelligence service, said Sarkozy had about 54 percent of the vote.
Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters. One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier. The ballot hit 35 per cent by midday.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
