France 's presidential election begins Sunday , to be followed by a runoff in two weeks . In France , a presidential candidate must receive more than 50 % of the vote to win office . Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy has been trailing center - left Francois Martin in the polls . A couple of extreme candidates , both far left and far right , will change the outcome . Unemployment is the biggest issue in the election , but immigration and debt are also talking points .
France 's presidential election begins Sunday , to be followed by a runoff in two weeks . Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy has been trailing center - left Francois Martin in the polls . A couple of extreme candidates , both far left and far right , will change the outcome . Unemployment is the biggest issue in the election , but immigration and debt are also talking points .