French poll: Hollande run-off victory chances solidifyMay 4, 2012 - 17:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has appeared to solidify his chances at winning France's presidency after his strong showing in a debate against beleaguered incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, Belfast Telegraph reported. Mr Hollande also won the support of a prominent centrist who came in fourth in the first round of presidential elections. The conservative Mr Sarkozy has trailed Mr Hollande throughout the campaign in the polls and needed a knockout performance in Wednesday May 2 night's debate. Pollsters said the mild-mannered Mr Hollande was surprisingly resilient in the bitter back-and-forths with his longtime rival. The result of the run-off will set the course for the next five years for France, a nuclear-armed country with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. It could reshape the debate in the 17-nation eurozone - which Mr Sarkozy has helped guide along with Germany's Angela Merkel - on how best to resolve the European debt crisis amid sluggish growth across the continent. Centrist leader Francois Bayrou dealt Mr Sarkozy a new blow on Thursday night. Mr Bayrou said he would not give his voters specific guidance for Sunday's vote - but that he will cast a ballot for Mr Hollande. Mr Sarkozy kept it up anyway at a big campaign rally in Toulon. "We don't want different tribes, we don't want ethnic communities to turn in on themselves, we don't want (non-citizen) immigrants to vote," he said. He is seeking support from the far right voters who gave anti-immigrant party leader Marine Le Pen a strong showing in the first round of elections. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |