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French Elections NPR's Nick Spicer reports from Paris that the two main candidates in France's first round of presidential elections this weekend have done little to inspire interest among French voters. The two candidates are the incumbent president, Gaullist Jacques Chirac, and the Socialist prime minister, Lionel Jospin. Public opinion polls give each about 18 percent support with far-right National Front candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen edging up at about 14 percent. It's conceivable, although not likely, that Le Pen could make it into the second, final round next month.

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French Elections

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French Elections

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NPR's Nick Spicer reports from Paris that the two main candidates in France's first round of presidential elections this weekend have done little to inspire interest among French voters. The two candidates are the incumbent president, Gaullist Jacques Chirac, and the Socialist prime minister, Lionel Jospin. Public opinion polls give each about 18 percent support with far-right National Front candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen edging up at about 14 percent. It's conceivable, although not likely, that Le Pen could make it into the second, final round next month.