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PARIS - With little more than a week left before France stages the climax to its most important presidential election in recent history, Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal are performing a political fan dance to lure the centrist vote that will determine the outcome.
Conservative Sarkozy and Socialist Royal are twisting with increasing desperation for the 6.8 million votes cast in favour of Francois Bayrou in last Monday's first round. Sarkozy is sweetening his harsh talk with references to national consensus and unity, while Royal has offered to stage a debate with Bayrou - a highly unusual move, given her profound dislike of unscripted events. Both candidates have dangled the prospect of a political pact and Cabinet posts if Bayrou plays ball and gives them his endorsement.
So far, Bayrou is having none of it. Yesterday he blasted Sarkozy as a thug who was a threat to democracy and Royal as a threat to the economy, declared he would endorse neither and said he would set up a new party ahead of legislative elections in June. "Given his close ties to business and media interests, his taste for intimidation and threat, Nicolas Sarkozy will concentrate powers as never before. Through his character, and the issues that he has chosen to stir up, he risks worsening our social divide, using policies that benefit the wealthiest."
As for Royal, Bayrou said she had "better intentions" than Sarkozy on the question of democracy, but said witheringly: "Her programme is riddled with state intervention, perpetuating the illusion that it is the state's responsibility to do everything, that it can do everything. Her programme runs exactly counter to the direction needed to restore our country's creativity and economic stability."
Bayrou said he welcomed a debate with Royal - but upped the stakes, insisting it be televised. He said he would launch the Democrat Party to contest elections to the National Assembly. It will succeed the Union for French Democracy, a small party usually in alliance with conservatives. The new party "will represent all those French citizens who want a new kind of politics. It will be independent, free-speaking and devoted to defending citizens, unswayed by threats or the temptations of power."
By rebranding the UDF, Bayrou distances himself from his former allies and cements the idea of a middle-ground alternative. By refusing an endorsement, he also will not alienate those of his supporters who are conservative and see Sarkozy as a better, if unsatisfactory, choice to Royal.
