Just think. If Nicolas Sarkozy were just 10cm taller he wouldn't have needed to become a politician and France would possibly have been spared the riots and disruptions to come. The labour pains will be awful, the baby will be monstrous. Please, France, ABORT!

Russell Keen, London, UK

Commentators seem to be sitting on the fence. Surely Sarkozy has it wrapped up. He emerged with a much bigger score than polls had predicted. His lead over Royal was as big as it ever had been. He just has to keep talking reassuringly about rassemblement and protecting the French against poverty and insecurity. He does not need to move from his present positions to win.

Royal's only hope is to rally an anti-Sarkozy fronde, but she has not succeeded in this so far, and the numbers are stacked against her. Even if more than half the centrists go her way, she is likely to fall well short in the second round, which the (so far fairly accurate) polls are already predicting. She needs Sarkozy to make a big faux pas, which he has not so far.

Sarkozy will win. You read it here first. Speculation otherwise is just chat. The real unknown worth analysing is how he will actually govern and what this will mean for all of us.

Marcus Ferrar, Geneva, Switzerland

Yes, me too.
Whilst it would be so good to see a woman in the Elysee, I am afraid Sego is no Maggie Thatcher.
So it has to be Sarkozy now, I sincerely hope the people of France are prepared for the disruption that will & must surely follow once he has been annointed.
Also, the Brits who will suffer as their ferry , Eurostar & flight bookings all get delayed or cancelled, due to the protests, strikes & walkouts .
They always seem to be targeted at such times , with summer almost here it's perfect timing.
I hope the French electorate have finally realised , no pain no gain, so take your medicine & look to the future now.
To Sarkozy , GOOD LUCK we are investing a lot of hope in you.

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

It amazes me that Sarkozy, who has participated in this terrible Chirac government has managed to convince people he is for change. Yet the party he will lead is the same!

JP Ray, london, uk

The old socialism is gonna get kicked out of France, and now will have a courageous President to carry on all the necessary reformations the country needs to stand up.

Vive Nicolas Sarkozy !

David, Paris,

I hope Sarkozy will win. It is only option for France to fight back with its problems: immigration, riots, social problems - high taxes and low wages etc. He will turn to US and unfreeze US-France relationships - it is also very important for ongoing world-wide battle with Islamic fundamentalism and extremism. If Right candidates take the power all over in Europe (Merkel already did it and Sarkozy and Cameron will do it soon, I hope), the strength and importance of Europe will increase and its ability to defeat its opponents and succesfully confront such problems as immigration will become apparent.
Viva Sarko!

Ilya, St. Petersburg, Russia

Intense interest?!!!! Must be kidding.... One of the worst campaign ever, and the 30% indecise was a proof.
As of the "biggest" disappointment of Le Pen. You might have forgotten to mention that over half of his electorate voted for Sarkozy.
As such: 25 and so for are more than "respectable".

Julia, Paris, France

Can she talk about Socialists and not the Left ?
Can she convince Francois Bayrous camp tovote for her?
Can she manage to move ahead with her convictions, bring in new blood ?

If she can and she can convince she will win, if not then Sarko will win hands down.

Vive la France

Louis, London, UK

I think Sarkozy can win only if he manages to switch the focus of the campaign off his personality traits and onto France's future. Otherwise, fear of him and of social unrest under his government will lean centrist voters towards Segolene's "safer" camp.

Daniel, London,

The next french president will have a mandate for change which Chirac did not have after the 2002 elections. As Charles Bremmer described very well, the next two weeks are going to be a fascinating battle for the french center ground. The question is who is this center ground and what does it want? The common points between the two candidates left in the ring and the Bayrou electorate is a protectionist agenda, more europe and constitutional reforms regarding the strength of the presidential monarchy and the weak parliamentary system. However the key problems of France lie with "les acquis", the french sacred cows which excludes a large sway of the population out of the economy, are unsustainable financially and pepper the whole state structure. This will be the debate to follow. There needs to be leadership and a clear mandate for reforms to go through, otherwise it will remain a mystery to me how far France can reform.

Nick Story, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Segolene is a babe, who cares if she can lead France, after looking at Chirac's face all these years I might actually pay attention to what the new French leader has to say, Im in love !!! ... how's that for sexist :-)

Ian Turner, Austin, Texas

France needs a real good shake-up and Sarkozy is the only one thats going to do this.
The immigrant populations of France who despise (fear) Sarkozy have benefitted for far too long from the intensly Socialist model of politics and the associated subsidies that allow them to escape even the miniscule 35 hour work week.
France has clearly recognised a change is due; I just hope they have the guts to follow through with what they have begun...

Andrew, London, UK

Is is difficult to unsdertand how France can vote continuity (Sarko), seeing it´s actual situation. Good luck for Sego.

Andrés, Santiago, Galicia/Spain

Sego has 25% plus a probable 10% from the Greens and far lefties while Sarko has 30% plus a probable 11% from the NF.

Admittedly many who voted for Bayrou might prefer Royal but he has no choice but to support Sarko, otherwise the UDF will lose the many many seats that are dependant on UDF pacts. So the lion's share of Bayrou's votes will go to Sarko.

So, although this doesn't take into account abstentation, it's not looking particularly good for the Socialists. Shame really.

David, Bristol, UK

Sarkozy is our hope for european people....Im sure that he will wine

pablo, madrid, spain

Sarkozy will be a great President !

erwan carre, ORLEANS, FRANCE

Vive Sarko!

Stephane, Paris, France

Vive Sarkozy~! This is truly France's last chance.

Françoise Chantilly, Londres, Royaume-Uni

Vive Ségolène Royal !!!!!!!!!!

chamakh, Paris, France