In France, Socialist Party members and their supporters are casting ballots Sunday in a second round of voting to determine who will face President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's general election.

The U.S.-styled primary, the first of its kind in France, pits Francois Hollande, a moderate Socialist Party veteran, against former labor minister Martine Aubry, noted for establishing France's 35-hour work-week.

Hollande currently leads Aubry in the polls. He took first place in last Sunday's first round with 39 percent of the votes, nine points ahead of Aubry.

Not appearing on the ballot is the former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominque Strauss-Kahn. He had been favored to win the party's nomination, until his candidacy was sidelined in May by sexual assault charges filed in New York City by a hotel maid. Although the charges were later dropped, they brought a likely end to Strauss-Kahn's political career.

Mr. Sarkozy, who is widely expected to seek a second five-year term, is considered vulnerable, facing an electorate unhappy with his economic policies.