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French await Sarkozy-Royal debate French rivals meet in TV debate
(about 1 hour 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 going 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 is being screened simultaneously by France's two biggest television channels.
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 first round on 22 April, 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%.
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 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.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 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.
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. The TV audience is expected to be larger than that which watched France lose to Italy in the football World Cup final, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris.
Viewers will be watching for memorable one-liners - or gaffes.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. Mr Sarkozy - a lawyer with five years in government to hone his oration skills - must 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.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.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'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.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."
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 Mr 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 Sunday's 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 10.4% voters who backed him in the first round.He said neither candidate deserved support from the 10.4% voters who backed him in the first round.