Francois Hollande has moved a step closer to becoming the first Socialist president of France since 1995, by beating incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in the first round of elections.

"I think that we [Socialists] are leading, but it is only half time and like in any soccer game you only win if you win at the end of the game. All the propositions of Hollande are in favour of the jobs, youth, social security for everyone, and environmental issues are the main reasons why he is leading right now in the polls but we need to mobilise every French citizen … to vote in favour of Francois Hollande two weeks from now."

- Thierry Marchal-Beck, the president of the Socialist Youth

This election comes at a crucial time for France with its faltering economy and for a whole continent struggling with the Eurozone crisis.

Sarkozy is seen by many as having failed to live up to his promises. The strong result by the left seems to reflect a desire for change in the country after 17 years of centrist, conservative presidents.