(Left) Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party received 25.74% of the vote; image from segoleneroyal2007.net. (Right) Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP People's Movement leads with 31.06%; image from sarkozy2007.forumactif.com. The French Interior Ministry finally revealed the results of the first round of the presidential election. The "sewage" incident of 2002 did not recur: Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP People's Movement led with 31.06%, the highest score in the first round of the Fifth Republic. Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party followed closely with 25.74%. This created a traditional left-right showdown. François Bayrou of the centrist UDF (Union for French Democracy) received 18.54%, triple his share in 2002, marking an unprecedented high for the UDF in the Fifth Republic. He became the third key figure, making his party crucial for the second-round battle; both left and right must court or appease centrist voters to win. In this campaign, Jean-Marie Le Pen of the far-right National Front (FN) received only 10.58%, a defeat akin to Waterloo. Losing nearly 7% of his votes is unimaginable. Sarkozy successfully captured the far-right territory (especially on national identity and immigration), leaving Le Pen with lifelong regret and no chance to recover (he is now 78; how will he wait another five years?). Among all far-left candidates, Olivier Besancenot of the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR), known as the postman, received 4.13%, entering an unprecedented situation among minor candidates, particularly attracting many young voters. Philippe de Villiers of the far-right MPF (Movement for France) received 2.27%. Marie-George Buffet of the French Communist Party (PCF) took only 1.94%, a historic low for the Communists. Dominique Voynet of the Greens (Les Verts) also performed poorly with 1.57%. Arlette Laguiller of the Workers' Struggle (LO) fared even worse at 1.35%. Anti-liberalist José Bové was not ideal at 1.32%. Frédéric Nihous of the Hunters and Trads (CPNT) received 1.18%. Gérard Schivardi of the Workers' Party (PT) got 0.34%. Blank (abstention) votes accounted for 15.40%. All left-wing minor candidates publicly declared full support for the Socialist candidate in the final round. No one from the far-right FN or MPF declared support for Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP People's Movement. François Bayrou of the centrist UDF hopes time will consider a left turn or right bend, announcing publicly next Wednesday. Based on these votes, final polls are expected to be close to reality. Nicolas Sarkozy leads in all polls, and the left-right showdown between him and Ségolène Royal was anticipated early on. The emergence of the third figure, François Bayrou, and the fading of Jean-Marie Le Pen's halo were also predicted.

This year, registered voters in France increased by 4.2% compared to 2002, seemingly awakening nationwide to the importance of this election. Voter turnout in the first round was particularly enthusiastic, reaching 85%, a record high for the Fifth Republic. Long lines were seen everywhere, and some polling stations extended voting hours, an unprecedented event in 50 years, proving the French people's enthusiasm for politics and concern for the country's future.

Upon learning that Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP People's Movement had entered the presidential final with a high score, he confidently delivered a speech thanking voters amidst cheers of "President Nicolas" from over 2,000 supporters and under the lenses of over 600 journalists from around the world, launching the final campaign. "The French have clearly expressed their wish that I represent them and no one else... allowing me to lead significantly in the first round, with Ségolène Royal coming second. The French have clearly emphasized a thorough debate between the left and right on two national visions, social plans, value systems, and political concepts... signaling to all social classes that, addressing the general anxiety about the future, I will defend them and unite the French people around a new painted dream of France and an equal republic..." After receiving the complete election results, Ségolène Royal of the left-wing Socialist Party was the last to thank her voters in Mell countryside amidst applause. She emphasized, "Opening this new 15-day campaign, France will choose its destiny and face... I will make the respected Republic applauded, creating a France that is optimistic, enterprising, yet a defender, equal, and self-confident... I will reform France without brutality, ending insecurity and instability and eliminating all forms of violence. I reject all development based on fear... etc. I am a free woman, without burdens of interest ties, calling on the public to make bold and calm choices in the second round, promising light to France, and giving those who want to break away from the ineffective political system not only necessity but absolute urgency... etc. You have shown me the opinion of the majority. I will fight with public opinion, change France, and make France stand up!" François Bayrou of the centrist UDF, losing with a high score as expected, said excitedly while thanking his voters, "I have good news for you: starting tonight, the French political scene will begin to change, no longer like before... France finally has a centrist position... etc." Indeed, whether the centrists will emerge independently from the right's belly depends on the party leader's adherence to their political line. Jean-Marie Le Pen of the far-right FN stated dejectedly, "We have won ideologically... etc., the French prefer superficial change over real reform."

The 2007 French presidential final was not just a left-right showdown but also a contest between male and female presidents. Thus, it attracted special attention from the world and EU partners. A choice of French political stance and social system would be clear in the fierce struggle on May 6th through the prudent deliberation of wise voters. A new revolution is forming. If French voters are wise, a female president is not impossible. This would be a great revolution for patriarchal political systems or society. We cannot say this is feminist supremacy, but at least the possibility of gender equality. According to the latest polls, in the second round, Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP People's Movement leads with 53%, temporarily ahead of Ségolène Royal of the left-wing Socialist Party at 47%. Neither side dares to underestimate this exciting showdown. Both sides thus opened a fierce battle to decide the winner in two weeks.