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French await Sarkozy-Royal debate French await Sarkozy-Royal debate
(about 6 hours later)
The two candidates vying to be French president go head to head in a highly anticipated TV debate on Wednesday. The two candidates vying to be French president are set to go head-to-head in a highly anticipated TV debate.
Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal's face-off is set to be seen by up to 20m people. The face-off between Conservative frontrunner Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal is expected to be seen by up to 20 million people.
Mr Sarkozy, leading in polls, has been downplaying the significance of the 1900GMT debate, ahead of Sunday's vote. The two-hour encounter will be screened simultaneously by France's two biggest television channels from 1900 GMT.
Ms Royal, aiming to be France's first female president, is seeking momentum. In the 22 April first round vote she won 25.9% to Mr Sarkozy's 31.2%. The debate is seen as a decisive battle in swaying undecided voters ahead of Sunday's second-round vote.
In the 22 April first-round vote Mr Sarkozy won 31.2% and Ms Royal won 25.9%.
'Decisive''Decisive'
The two-hour encounter will be screened simultaneously by France's two biggest television channels. Correspondents say French voters anticipate a keenly fought contest in the TV debate and will be watching for memorable one-liners - or gaffes.
I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate Nicolas Sarkozy Rivals' policies examined Ghettos mobilise for vote I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate Nicolas Sarkozy Rivals' policies examined Ghettos mobilise for vote Former President Valery Giscard d'Estaing was author of the put-down, "You don't have a monopoly of the heart", in the 1974 presidential election debate with his rival Francois Mitterrand.
Correspondents say French voters anticipate a keenly fought contest and will be watching for memorable one-liners - or gaffes.
Former President Valery Giscard d'Estaing was author of the put-down, "You don't have a monopoly of the heart", in the 1974 presidential election debate with his rival Francois Mitterrand.
He says that debate helped him win election, and predicts that the Sarkozy-Royal showdown will be "decisive".He says that debate helped him win election, and predicts that the Sarkozy-Royal showdown will be "decisive".
But other commentators say more than 80% of French people have already decided how they are going to vote.But other commentators say more than 80% of French people have already decided how they are going to vote.
Mr Sarkozy downplayed the encounter, telling French radio: "Every moment is decisive, but I'm not one of those people who dramatise the significance of the debate to that point." Mr Sarkozy played down the significance of encounter, telling French radio: "Every moment is decisive, but I'm not one of those people who dramatise the significance of the debate to that point."
He added: "I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate."He added: "I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate."
Working for votesWorking for votes
The last head-to-head presidential-race debate - Jacques Chirac versus Socialist Lionel Jospin in 1995 - drew 17 million viewers.The last head-to-head presidential-race debate - Jacques Chirac versus Socialist Lionel Jospin in 1995 - drew 17 million viewers.
Mr Chirac won the first of his two terms that year. In 2002, he refused to debate with far-right nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen.Mr Chirac won the first of his two terms that year. In 2002, he refused to debate with far-right nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen.
On Tuesday, Mr Le Pen urged supporters not to vote in the 2007 presidential run-off.On Tuesday, Mr Le Pen urged supporters not to vote in the 2007 presidential run-off.
He said that neither candidate deserved support from the voters who backed him in first round polling. He said neither candidate deserved support from the voters who backed him in first round polling.
The veteran lawmaker came fourth with 10.4% of the vote.The veteran lawmaker came fourth with 10.4% of the vote.
Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal are now working to secure votes from people who backed him and the third-placed candidate, centrist Francois Bayrou.Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal are now working to secure votes from people who backed him and the third-placed candidate, centrist Francois Bayrou.