France's official election campaign started on Monday (9 April) two weeks ahead of the first round of voting and with 12 candidates in the race.
With the centre-right Jacques Chirac stepping down after a 12-year reign as president, the country is in high election fever and is being watched with interest around the world.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right candidate, continues to top the polls followed by socialist contender Segolene Royal and centrist candidate Francois Bayrou.
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