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| Voting brisk as the French decide | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| France is reporting record turnout as voters choose between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy for their next president. | |
| In a hotly contested ballot, it had hit nearly 35% by midday - the highest morning turnout for a presidential vote in more than three decades. | |
| The two rivals are bidding to succeed Jacques Chirac after 12 years. | |
| Ms Royal has suggested a Sarkozy win 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. |
| Coherence and kindness | Coherence and kindness |
| Speaking after casting his ballot on Sunday, one French voter, Mr Paillereau, told the BBC that he had backed Nicolas Sarkozy. | Speaking after casting his ballot on Sunday, one French voter, Mr Paillereau, told the BBC that he had backed Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| Sarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on Friday | Sarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on Friday |
| "I decided over a year ago that I would," he said. | "I decided over a year ago that I would," he said. |
| "I'm not one of the undecided. I've known for a long time who I'd vote for. | "I'm not one of the undecided. I've known for a long time who I'd vote for. |
| "There was no problem, because for me he is the only candidate that has presented a real, coherent programme." | "There was no problem, because for me he is the only candidate that has presented a real, coherent programme." |
| Claudine Olivier said she had voted for Segolene Royal even though she knew there was little chance of her winning. | Claudine Olivier said she had voted for Segolene Royal even though she knew there was little chance of her winning. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "But for me she still represents kindness despite everything." | "But for me she still represents kindness despite everything." |
| Extra police | Extra police |
| 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. | 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: Policies | HAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments Royal v Sarkozy: Policies |
| 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. | 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. |
| "An election marked by the desire for change", one weekend paper headlined while another warned of "high security". | "An election marked by the desire for change", one weekend paper headlined while another warned of "high security". |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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, says our correspondent. | 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, says our correspondent. |
| Change is required if the world's fifth biggest economy is to regain its self-confidence, our correspondent says. | 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. | How fast the French are prepared to go will become clear at the end of the day, she adds. |