From the U.S. to Argentina-- and everywhere in between-- French nationals living abroad are casting their ballots for either Francois Hollande or incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy as the second round of presidential voting gets underway.<br/> <br />In Japan, voters filed into the French embassy in Tokyo. In a rainy Hanoi, Vietnam, a similar drill.... and in Hong Kong voters made their choice at the international school.<br/> <br />And in Sydney Australia, where there are about 15,000 French expats, opinions were mixed.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(French) SYDNEY RESIDENT, PATRICK SULLA-MARSA SAYING:<br/> <br />''I voted for continuity and consistency because I think Mr Sarkozy has started some very good work and I think we need to give him more time so he can continue it."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(French) SYDNEY RESIDENT, OLIVIER BIZIEN SAYING:<br/> <br />"I decided to vote left because I think the left represents what is different about France from a lot of other countries and I think its important that we maintain this difference."<br/> <br />According to recent polls, the presumptive winner will be Hollande, leaving incumbent Sarkozy a one term leader.<br/> <br />Hollande has held steady in recent weeks on promises to raise taxes on high earners, and to finance spending and keep the public deficit capped.<br/> <br />He's also riding the wave of anti-Sarkozy sentiment.<br/> <br />Often seen as showy and arrogant-- French citizens are fed up with Sarkozy over stagnant unemployment rates and general economic malaise.<br/> <br />If Hollande does win, he'll have his work cut out for him. While other euro-zone economies are looking for him to reign in his over-optimistic growth forecasts by making spending cuts, analysts say that may be difficult as left-wing voters are hoping instead for increased minimum wages and a reversal on a sales-tax hike.<br/> <br />Holland would be the country's first Socialist president in 17 years.<br/> <br />Julie Noce, Reuters
