Voting opened at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday in France's run-offs of presidential elections as the country picks its next president to succeed Jacques Chirac after 12 years at the helm.

More than 1 million French nationals overseas have already cast their votes a day before polls open in mainland France.

The two runners, who survived the first round two weeks ago, centre-rightist Nicolas Sarkozy and the socialist Segolene Royal, are expected to stage a classic right-left battle to remember.

There was set a new record for the elections' first round, as the voter turnout among the 44,5 million eligible voters was 85,6%. Only 73% voted at the same stage of the election in 2002.

Sarkozy, the former finance and interior minister, running on a platform that focuses on reforming the floundering French social model, cutting taxes and pushing free-market reforms, is the front-runner.

Socialist candidate Segolene Royal is close on his heels, offering to reverse some of the reforms passed during Chirac's two terms in office, as well as raising the minimum wage.

Whichever one wins will have make some tough decisions about a wide range of issues where change is needed in order to revive a divided society and stagnating economy.

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