Today, Mr Hollande is on course to succeed the late Mr Mitterrand as France's first Socialist President in 24 years, and the quiet man of French politics is finding it increasingly hard to conceal his glee.
Riding high in the polls ahead of Sunday's first round vote, France's self-styled Mr Normal told a crowd of 12,000 in Bordeaux at his final rally: "Nicolas Sarkozy said he could see a wave rising. For once he was right. The wave's coming; it's high, its strong, and it's going to smack him in the face".
"François President, we're going to win," the crowd chanted back. » | Henry Samuel, Bordeaux | Friday, April 20, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy is a victim of his own courage: The president should be applauded for his courage, hard work, plain-speaking and his love for France. » | Anne-Elisabeth Moutet | Friday, April 20, 2012
THE WASHINGTON POST: French prez race all about emotion: Fear of finance and Islam, anger at Sarkozy and the rich: PARIS — Like Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy swept to power on a wave of hope for change. Sarkozy’s wave crashed on the global financial crisis and his own failings. On Sunday, the French leader faces a tough fight against nine challengers in presidential elections awash in fear and anger. » | Associated Press | Friday, April 20, 2012
