What you need to know about the 2017 French Presidential Election

Digital Originals

Millions of French citizens are expected to head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president.

Candidates are trying to secure the top slots in the first round of the election to replace outgoing President Francois Hollande who opted not to run again.

French elections consist of two rounds of votes. After the first vote, the top two winners will face off in a second round in May to determine who will become the next president.

This election’s five major candidates include: Francois Fillon, Benoit Hamon, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen, and Emmanuel Macron.

The economy, unemployment, and terrorism have been the critical issues during one of the most unpredictable French elections in years.

Not only are the French keeping an eye on the polls, but the European Union is concerned a Le Pen victory could tear apart the bloc.

While it looks like far-right candidate Le Pen will make through the first round, the presidency is still anyone’s game.