Hollande's Challenge in Facing Sarkozy

Though it may seem cliché to say so, it's nevertheless true that with his party's 2012 presidential nomination now secured, the hard work for French Socialist candidate François Hollande is about to begin. With the first round of presidential polling a bit more than six months away, the popular Hollande now becomes the principle target in the cross-hairs of French conservatives determined (and desperate) to maintain their control of the Elysée and legislature—and already attacking his leadership abilities. Moreover, with virtually all the variables in the presumed re-election bid by President Nicolas Sarkozy looking remarkably grim, there's really nowhere for the unpopular incumbent to go but up as campaigning for the presidential contest gets underway in earnest. Therefore, Hollande embarks upon his presidential run knowing his challenge lies in limiting an inevitable narrowing of the margins in polls currently showing him easily beating Sarkozy for the presidency to claim victory in voting next spring.