Follow the French elections

There will be few more important political events for the EU over the next few weeks than the French Presidential elections. If you wish to follow developments on an English blog prepared in France put this link on your favourites . The most complete coverage online in French in my view may be found from here. The fact that Jean-Marie Le Pen and Phillipe de Villiers yesterday both gained the necessary nominations of 500 elected officials means that the full form of the first round is finally taking shape. The recent surge in the polls of Francois Bayrou today appears to have been halted with support falling to 21 pct against the front runners Royal and Sarkozy on 26 and 27 pct respectively. The more significant poll in my view was one earlier this week that showed 60 per cent of respondents stating they had yet to decide between candidates.