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French set to elect new president France votes for a new president
(about 3 hours later)
Voters in France go to the polls on Sunday in the second and final round of their country's most hotly-contested presidential election in recent times. The French have begun voting in the second and final round of their country's most hotly contested presidential election in recent times.
The socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy are bidding to succeed Jacques Chirac, who has been president for 12 years. Segolene Royal for the socialists and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy are bidding to succeed Jacques Chirac, who has been president for 12 years.
On Friday, Ms Royal said her rival's election might spark riots. Mr Sarkozy accused her of verbal violence.On Friday, Ms Royal said her rival's election might spark riots. Mr Sarkozy accused her of verbal violence.
Citizens resident in France's overseas territories have already begun voting. Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters.
First to vote were 5,000 people on the tiny archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which lies 25km off the Atlantic coast of Canada. One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier.
Voting also took place early in French Guyana, the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and French Polynesia in the Pacific, with one million French in overseas territories and other countries around the world eligible.
For the 43.5 million voters in mainland France, polling stations will open at 0800 (0600 GMT) on Sunday and close 12 hours later.
'Brutality''Brutality'
On the last day of campaigning on Friday Ms Royal said that electing Mr Sarkozy could spark riots and violence and that he was a "dangerous choice".On the last day of campaigning on Friday Ms Royal said that electing Mr Sarkozy could spark riots and violence and that he was a "dangerous choice".
"It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of [his] candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said."It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of [his] candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said.
Did the televised debate sway many French voters?In picturesDid the televised debate sway many French voters?In pictures
Mr Sarkozy reacted angrily, accusing Ms Royal of breaking "elementary rules of democracy".Mr Sarkozy reacted angrily, accusing Ms Royal of breaking "elementary rules of democracy".
He said he could not understand why Ms Royal had felt the need to resort to "verbal violence".He said he could not understand why Ms Royal had felt the need to resort to "verbal violence".
"I told Ms Royal that politics should be about respect, openness, tolerance, unity. I feel she's just ending with violence, a certain feverishness. France deserves something else.""I told Ms Royal that politics should be about respect, openness, tolerance, unity. I feel she's just ending with violence, a certain feverishness. France deserves something else."
Mr Sarkozy, a former interior minister and leader of the governing right-wing UMP party, is the favourite to win Sunday's run-off vote, having won 30% in the election's first round.Mr Sarkozy, a former interior minister and leader of the governing right-wing UMP party, is the favourite to win Sunday's run-off vote, having won 30% in the election's first round.
HAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments
However, Ms Royal got nearly 25% and analysts believe she is likely to get support from those who previously voted for her left-wing and green rivals.However, Ms Royal got nearly 25% and analysts believe she is likely to get support from those who previously voted for her left-wing and green rivals.
The former environment minister hopes to become the first woman president of France.The former environment minister hopes to become the first woman president of France.
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says the French are faced with a very clear choice between left and right and two very different visions of the future.The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says the French are faced with a very clear choice between left and right and two very different visions of the future.
Yet both candidates represent change and a new generation preparing to take power from the 74-year-old Jacques Chirac, according to our correspondent.Yet both candidates represent change and a new generation preparing to take power from the 74-year-old Jacques Chirac, according to our correspondent.
Many believe that within the two candidates' campaigns, Mr Sarkozy has outlined the clearest path for reform - one which may be painful, but could be vital to help France face the challenges of the 21st Century.Many believe that within the two candidates' campaigns, Mr Sarkozy has outlined the clearest path for reform - one which may be painful, but could be vital to help France face the challenges of the 21st Century.