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French await Sarkozy-Royal debate French await Sarkozy-Royal debate
(39 minutes later)
The two candidates vying to be French president are set to go head-to-head in a highly anticipated TV debate.The two candidates vying to be French president are set to go head-to-head in a highly anticipated TV debate.
The face-off between Conservative frontrunner Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal is expected to be seen by up to 20 million people. The face-off between conservative frontrunner Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal is expected to be seen by up to 20 million people.
The two-hour encounter will be screened simultaneously by France's two biggest television channels from 1900 GMT.The two-hour encounter will be screened simultaneously by France's two biggest television channels from 1900 GMT.
The debate is seen as a decisive battle in swaying undecided voters ahead of Sunday's second-round vote.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%. In the first round on 22 April, Mr Sarkozy won 31.2% and Ms Royal won 25.9%.
'Decisive' I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate Nicolas Sarkozy class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6357899.stm">Rivals' policies examined class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6613867.stm">Ghettos mobilise for vote They are hoping to win votes from the 18% of voters who backed the third-placed candidate, centrist Francois Bayrou, as well as those who supported far-right nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Correspondents say French voters anticipate a keenly fought contest in the TV debate and will be watching for memorable one-liners - or gaffes. Voters anticipate a keenly fought contest, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris, with the TV audience expected to be larger than that which watched France lose to Italy in the football World Cup final.
I don't think the French choose a president on the lone impression that they'll have after a two-hour debate Nicolas Sarkozy class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6357899.stm">Rivals' policies examined class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6613867.stm">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. Viewers will be watching for memorable one-liners - or gaffes.
Mr Sarkozy - a lawyer with five years in government to hone his oration skills - will have to avoid appearing over-confident, our correspondent says.
She adds that Ms Royal - often accused of being stiff and lacking warmth during the early part of her campaign - has appeared far more relaxed and confident since her first round victory.
However, the Socialist candidate has made gaffes while live on air in the past - she was caught out when one interviewer asked her how many nuclear submarines France had, guessing one when the correct answer was four.
'Decisive' moment
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 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."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 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 Mr 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 Sunday's run-off.
He said neither candidate deserved support from the voters who backed him in first round polling. He said neither candidate deserved support from the 10.4% voters who backed him in the first round.
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.