François Hollande is by no means certain to win the French Presidential election. He may yet fall foul of France’s well-known ‘Frontrunner Syndrome’, as Sarkozy’s fightback begins.

In the run up to France’s presidential election on 22 April opinion polls place President Nicolas Sarkozy on the back foot against the Socialist candidate François Hollande. Yet Rainbow Murray argues that the contest is far from over yet. Sarkozy can draw on his recent experience on the European and world stages, and Hollande must overcome historical trends where election frontrunners in France see their support fall dramatically in the immediate run up to Presidential elections.