France prepares to go to the polls

Paris - France will vote in April and May next year for its next head of state in what is expected to be a tight race between…

Paris - France will vote in April and May next year for its next head of state in what is expected to be a tight race between President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, a parliamentary source said yesterday.

Parliamentary elections, held like the presidential vote in two rounds, will follow in June, the source said.

The government is due to approve the dates during a cabinet meeting today, the source added.

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