USA TODAY でアメリカをよむコミュのUSA Today's Today News4/22

＊Turnout high for French election
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-04-22-france-elections_N.htm

選挙いきましたか？おフランスでは大統領選ざます

PARIS (AP) — France began choosing a new president Sunday in one of its most suspense-filled elections in recent times, after a frenzied campaign by a dozen contenders left voters undecided but eager to have a say.

Only four of the candidates, including conservative front-runner Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal, placing second in polls, had a real chance of being among the top two scorers who will face each other in a final round of voting May 6. Francois Bayrou, a lawmaker with farm roots who has become the election's surprise third force, is a wild card in the mix.

今日おこなわわれているのは予備選のようで　ほんちゃんは
5月6日とか

The new president will succeed Jacques Chirac, who ends 12 years as head of state at the close of his second mandate, and must revive a large but listless economy and bring alienated young Muslims into French life, among a host of other problems.

listless（32723）：feeling tired and not intrested in thing

Chiracさんは12年大統領の座についていたが、停滞した経済と若いイスラム教徒への対応が新大統領に期待される。

All three leading contenders are in their fifties with backgrounds that set them apart from the old guard political elite. Each has promised a new approach to politics and each, in his or her way, has vowed to change the status quo. Royal is the first woman to become a serious contender for the French presidency.

主要な二人の候補は、新しい政治を標榜しているが、女性の社会進出が進む中、Royal氏がヒラリーさんより一足早く女性の大統領となれるかが注目される