French socialist candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande, center, arrives at Brive airport in Brive, Central France, after the first round of the presidential election, Sunday, April 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)GREG KELLER
PARIS (AP) – Francois Hollande charged back into campaign mode Monday with momentum on his side to capture France’s presidency, after the Socialist won the most votes in the first round of voting that put him into a runnoff with conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.
However, in the ballot’s biggest surprise, the nearly one in five voters who chose far right candidate Marine Le Pen may hold the key to victory in the decisive vote on May 6.
Hollande remains favorite to win the runoff after besting Sarkozy in the first round.
If Hollande wins the second round, he would become the first Socialist president since 1995. His election could also alter Europe’s political and economic landscape at a time when the continent is seeking a clear direction to overcome its calamitous debt crisis.