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| Voting brisk as the French decide | Voting brisk as the French decide |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| France is reporting record turnout as voters choose between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy for their next president. | France is reporting record turnout as voters choose between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy for their next president. |
| In a hotly contested poll, nearly 35% of voters had cast their ballots by midday, the highest morning turnout for such an election in over 30 years. | In a hotly contested poll, nearly 35% of voters had cast their ballots by midday, the highest morning turnout for such an election in over 30 years. |
| The two rivals are bidding to succeed Jacques Chirac after 12 years. | 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. | 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 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 | |
| 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' |
| When Mr Sarkozy went to cast his ballot in his Paris constituency, Neuilly-Sur-Seine, he was greeted by supporters who applauded him and chanted "Sarko president". | When Mr Sarkozy went to cast his ballot in his Paris constituency, Neuilly-Sur-Seine, he was greeted by supporters who applauded him and chanted "Sarko president". |
| Ms Royal cast hers in Melle, in her constituency in western France. | Ms Royal cast hers in Melle, in her constituency in western France. |
| Sarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on Friday | |
| 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". |
| 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 | |
| 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. |