Sarkozy takes poll lead after anti-EU turn

President Nicolas Sarkozy pulled ahead of his Socialist rival for the first time in France’s election race yesterday, according to a poll held after the right-winger took a strident anti-EU turn.

The survey forecast that Sarkozy would lead in the first round but still lose out to Francois Hollande in the second, but it was a symbolic boost for the leader who has trailed his rival for the past five months.

“It’s true that it’s better when things are going well,” Sarkozy told reporters when asked about the poll.