In France, polls have tipped socialist candidate [François Hollande](http://François Hollande) to win in the second round vote against outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy. Meanwhile in the Netherlands the Mark Rutte government has resigned in the wake of a protracted dispute with the populist Party for Freedom led by Geert Wilders, on which it depends for a parliamentary majority. The date for early general elections, which could be held as early as 27 June, is now under discussion.

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