The polls are open in France

The day of reflection is over and people are out voting. The first round had an incredible 85% turnout but I doubt that the second round will see anything as high since the extremist Le Pen is out of contention. What will be of interest to see later tonight when the votes are tallied will be the number of "white" ballots (blank) and the number of abstentions. Le Pen urged his supporters to abstain and many voters, especially the moderate Bayrou supporters, continue to be unenthusiastic about either Royal or Sarkozy.

With Friday polls pointing heavily towards a Sarkozy victory, there is already talk about the direction the Socialist Party in France will take. As many have asked before when suggesting Segolene Royal was France's answer to Blair, can Blairism exist without a Thatcher? More later tonight after the votes are tallied but Chirac-TV (online and on cable, if you have it) should have plenty of reports throughout the day.