Hollande and Sarkozy set for run-off battle

Francois Hollande, a mild-mannered French Socialist who wants to take better care of the jobless and the poor, is heading to a presidential run-off election against tough-on-immigration Nicolas Sarkozy in a vote that could alter Europe’s political and economic landscape.

Mr Hollande heads into the May 6 second round with the upper hand after narrowly edging the conservative Mr Sarkozy in the first round of France’s voting, according to near-complete official results.