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| French polling draws to a close | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| France has reported record turnouts as voters choose between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy for their next president. | |
| In a hotly contested poll, nearly 75% of voters had cast their ballots by late afternoon - the highest turnout at that point in more than 30 years. | In a hotly contested poll, nearly 75% of voters had cast their ballots by late afternoon - the highest turnout at that point in more than 30 years. |
| The winner will take over from Jacques Chirac after his 12 years in power. | |
| Ms Royal has said a Sarkozy victory might spark riots, while Mr Sarkozy has accused her of verbal violence. | |
| Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters and are due to close at 2000 (1800 GMT). | Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters and are due to close at 2000 (1800 GMT). |
| He [Sarkozy] has the willpower to change France Voter Anne Combemale In pictures: France votes Voters buck trends | He [Sarkozy] has the willpower to change France Voter Anne Combemale In pictures: France votes Voters buck trends |
| One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier. | One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier. |
| The first round brought 85% of the electorate out to vote, the highest turnout for 40 years. | The first round brought 85% of the electorate out to vote, the highest turnout for 40 years. |
| 'A punishment' | 'A punishment' |
| Mr Sarkozy voted in his home of Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, accompanied by his two step-daughters - though not his wife Cecilia. | Mr Sarkozy voted in his home of Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, accompanied by his two step-daughters - though not his wife Cecilia. |
| He was greeted by supporters who applauded him and chanted "Sarko president!". | |
| Ms Royal cast her vote in her constituency in the Poitou-Charente region, though she is expected back in Paris for a post-result speech. | |
| href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_voters/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_voters/html/1.stm', '1178469712', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">French voters discuss choices href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_voters/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_voters/html/1.stm', '1178469712', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures | |
| At a polling station near the Champs-Elysees in Paris, unemployed voter Anne Combemale said she had chosen Mr Sarkozy because of his market-oriented economic platform. | At a polling station near the Champs-Elysees in Paris, unemployed voter Anne Combemale said she had chosen Mr Sarkozy because of his market-oriented economic platform. |
| "He has the willpower to change France," the 43-year-old said. | "He has the willpower to change France," the 43-year-old said. |
| In Argenteuil, the town north-west of Paris where Mr Sarkozy notoriously talked of hosing out "rabble" before the 2005 urban riots, Doratine Ekoka, a 70-year-old retired computer programmer, said she trusted Ms Royal to "clean up public life". | In Argenteuil, the town north-west of Paris where Mr Sarkozy notoriously talked of hosing out "rabble" before the 2005 urban riots, Doratine Ekoka, a 70-year-old retired computer programmer, said she trusted Ms Royal to "clean up public life". |
| A Sarkozy victory, she added, "would be like a punishment from God" because of his "terrible character". | A Sarkozy victory, she added, "would be like a punishment from God" because of his "terrible character". |
| More than 3,000 police have been deployed in Paris and its multi-ethnic suburbs to prevent a repeat of the 2005 riots if, as many expect, Nicolas Sarkozy celebrates a victory on Sunday night. | More than 3,000 police have been deployed in Paris and its multi-ethnic suburbs to prevent a repeat of the 2005 riots if, as many expect, Nicolas Sarkozy celebrates a victory on Sunday night. |
| New generation | New generation |
| The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says there is almost a sense of relief among many that after months of campaigning and heated debate, the nation is finally making its choice about the future. | |
| Whoever wins, it will mark a generational shift, with power being handed over by 74-year-old Jacques Chirac to a new president in his or her fifties. | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Many immigrants in my office are wearing Sarko badges John, France Send us your comments Royal v Sarkozy: Policies | HAVE YOUR SAY Many immigrants in my office are wearing Sarko badges John, France Send us your comments Royal v Sarkozy: Policies |
| Mr Sarkozy is a tough former interior minister who has promised reforms to put France bring down high unemployment and boost economic growth. | |
| Ms Royal has also pledged to create new jobs, while keeping France's cherished social model of generous welfare benefits and state aid. | Ms Royal has also pledged to create new jobs, while keeping France's cherished social model of generous welfare benefits and state aid. |
| The winner will inherit a fractured society in need of both economic reform and a new self-confidence, as France seeks to regain its former economic strength and its global influence, our correspondent says |