At the business end of the French elections, President Sarkozy is currently in second place to socialist Francois Hollande, as they both go forward to the second round of the election procedures on May 6th.

The third place candidate is Marine Le Pen who gained 18.1% of  the vote, a record for the head of the National Front party, who is not Euro friendly and is riding on the back of French anger at the extent of the austerity programme and overall discontent with President Sarkozy's performance while holding the reigns of power.

Le Pen's supporters now hold considerable power that could propel the next French President into office in the next couple lof weeks.