Solid turnout in French election

Centre-right French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s career was on the line today as voters turned out in solid numbers for the first round of France’s presidential election, a contest that could shake-up Europe’s political landscape and approach to myriad economic troubles.

The first-round balloting will trim down a list of 10 candidates from across the political spectrum to two finalists for a May 6 run-off. Polls have shown that many voters are turned off by Mr Sarkozy’s flashy style as they worry about jobs and the economy.