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France votes for a new president France votes for a new president
(about 1 hour later)
The French have begun voting 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.
Segolene Royal for the socialists 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.
Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters.Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters.
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.
Among Sunday's early voters at a polling station on Ile Saint-Louis, in the heart of Paris, Royal supporter Benoit Labouge told AFP he was concerned about the country's economic and social problems. Coherence and kindness
"France is in a serious state, a dangerous situation," he said. Speaking after casting his ballot on Sunday, one French voter, Mr Paillereau, told the BBC that he had backed Nicolas Sarkozy.
A Sarkozy voter at the station, who declined to give his full name, said he felt "instinctively" that the conservative was better suited for the post. Sarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on Friday
'Brutality' "I decided over a year ago that I would," he said.
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". "I'm not one of the undecided. I've known for a long time who I'd vote for.
"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. "There was no problem, because for me he is the only candidate that has presented a real, coherent programme."
href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_election_viewpoints/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_election_viewpoints/html/1.stm', '1178200244', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Did the televised debate sway many French voters? href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_election_viewpoints/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_french_election_viewpoints/html/1.stm', '1178200244', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures Claudine Olivier said she had voted for Segolene Royal even though she knew there was little chance of her winning.
Mr Sarkozy reacted angrily, accusing Ms Royal of breaking "elementary rules of democracy". "I know that now we will go through a few difficult years, well, maybe it will allow the left to rebuild, because for the moment they are a little bit of a mess," she said.
He said he could not understand why Ms Royal had felt the need to resort to "verbal violence". "But for me she still represents kindness despite everything."
"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." Extra police
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. Voters have a clear choice between Mr Sarkozy, 52, a conservative who advocates liberal economic reforms and a tough line on immigration and law and order, and Socialist Segolene Royal, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports from Paris.
HAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments Royal v Sarkozy: PoliciesHAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments Royal v Sarkozy: Policies
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. At 53, Ms Royal is the first woman to come so close to the French presidency, with promises to raise the minimum wage and create subsidised jobs for young people.
The former environment minister hopes to become the first woman president of France. "An election marked by the desire for change", one weekend paper headlines while another warns of "high security".
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. 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.
Yet both candidates represent change and a new generation preparing to take power from the 74-year-old Jacques Chirac, according to our correspondent. On the eve of polling, Segolene Royal claimed her rival's election would trigger violence across the country, but officials say they have no special indication of that.
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. What they do expect is that many people will take part, as they did in the first round two weeks ago, in a poll that is expected to change the face of France.
Change is required if the world's fifth biggest economy is to regain its self-confidence, our correspondent says.
How fast the French are prepared to go will become clear at the end of the day, she adds.