French President Nicolas Sarkozy has come out fighting in his attempt to secure a second term. Although beaten into second place after the first round of voting, he issued a strong declaration to his supporters that 'the fight begins now'. He will need to galvanise his support as there had been fears amongst his party that he would be knocked out in the first round.
François Hollande's visit to London last week suggested the Socialist presidential candidate is increasingly confident about his election prospects.