France is set to vote in a presidential election amid widespread disaffection caused by the eurozone crisis and high unemployment. Centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy is seeking re-election, saying only he can preserve a "strong France". But he is facing a tough challenge from Socialist Francois Hollande, who has said it is "the left's turn to govern". There are 10 candidates in all, and if none wins more than 50% of the votes there will be a run-off round on 6 May. Polls in mainland France and Corsica will be open from 08:00 to 18:00 (06:00-16:00 GMT), with voting stations in big cities remaining open for another two hours. The first official results will be released after the last stations close at 20:00 (18:00 GMT). President Sarkozy, who has been in office since 2007, has promised to reduce France's large budget deficit and to tax people who leave the country for tax reasons. He has also called for a "Buy European Act" for public contracts, and threatened to pull out of the Schengen passport-free zone unless other members do more to curb immigration from non-European countries. Mr Hollande, for his part, has promised to raise taxes on big corporations and people earning more than 1m euros a year. He wants to raise the minimum wage, hire 60,000 more teachers and lower the retirement age from 62 to 60 for some workers. If elected, Mr Hollande would be France's first left-wing president since Francois Mitterrand, who completed two seven-year terms between 1981 and 1995. French presidents are now elected for five years. Frustration Wages, pensions, taxation, and unemployment have been topping the list of voters' concerns. But the candidates have been accused of failing to address the country's problems during a lacklustre campaign. Frustration with Mr Sarkozy's flashy style and with Mr Hollande's bland image has also allowed radical candidates to flourish. Marine Le Pen, a media savvy far-right leader, has invigorated her anti-immigration National Front. Meanwhile Jean-Luc Melenchon, who is supported by the Communist Party, has galvanised far-left voters. Centrist leader Francois Bayrou is standing as a presidential candidate for the third time. In 2007, he came third, with nearly 19% of the vote. Voting was held on Saturday in France's overseas territories - including Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean and French Polynesia. Those territories vote early because results will be known on Sunday evening in mainland France - when it is still mid-afternoon in Caribbean islands and other overseas territories. The presidential vote will be followed by a parliamentary election in June. Hue Tours Hue Tour Festival Hue Hue Da Nang Da Nang Hoi An Hoi An Hue Du Lich Hue Du Lich Hoi AnDu Lich Da Nang Du Lich Sapa Du Lich Da Lat Du Lich Phu Quoc Du Lich Lao Du Lich Cambodia Du Lich Thai Lan Du Lich Singapore Du Lich Malaysia Du Lich Trung Quoc In regard to the seizure of 21 Vietnamese fishermen, Mr Nghi reiterated that Vietnam asks China to respect the country's stance put forth earlier, including immediately and unconditionally releasing the fishermen and fishing vessels to avoid undermining bilateral ties in the future. Also at the press briefing, the Vietnamese FM spokesperson expressed deep concern about the recent tensions related to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s preparation for satellite launch. Mr Nghi said Vietnam pays close attention to this issue and underlines the need to strictly comply with UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 1874 on peace and stability in the region and the world.
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