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Voting brisk as the French decide Voting brisk as the French decide
(40 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 trendsHe [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". Mr Sarkozy voted in his home of Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, accompanied by his two step-daughters - though not his wife Cecilia.
Ms Royal cast hers in Melle, in her constituency in western France.
Sarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on FridaySarkozy and Royal had an acrimonious exchange on Friday
He was greeted by supporters who applauded him and chanted "Sarko president".
Ms Royal cast her vote in her constituency in the region she heads, Poitou-Charente, though she is expected back in Paris for a post-result speech.
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
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.
"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. New generation
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. 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, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in Paris.
Change is required if the world's fifth biggest economy is to regain its self-confidence, our correspondent says. HAVE YOUR SAY Many immigrants in my office are wearing Sarko badges John, France class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6101&edition=2&ttl=20070416113005">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6357899.stm">Royal v Sarkozy: Policies
How fast the French are prepared to go will become clear at the end of the day, she adds. Mr Sarkozy is a tough former interior minister who has promised reforms to put France back to work and cut down high unemployment.
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 dominance and its global influence, our correspondent says