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PARIS - Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal forced her rightist rival Nicolas Sarkozy onto the defensive during a fiery TV debate today, attacking his record in office and accusing him of political immorality.
At times unsettled, Sarkozy managed to hit back, questioning whether she could handle the pressures of the presidency, and analysts said neither contender appeared to have landed a knockout blow just four days before their run-off election.
Royal set the tone from the outset of the 160-minute duel, charging that the outgoing conservative government in which Sarkozy served as both interior and finance minister, had failed to tackle unemployment, cut debt or reduce street crime.
"You are in part responsible for the situation in which France finds itself today," Royal said during the marathon debate which touched on everything from the economy to security, from nuclear energy to education, from pensions to immigration.
Her unexpectedly feisty performance cheered supporters and she told reporters later that she hoped she had disproved critics who said she was not competent enough to do the job.
"I believe that I have showed this evening that I have solidity and inner strength," she said.
But Sarkozy's fans were relieved that their champion, often portrayed by his critics as overly aggressive, had stayed calm and had turned the tables by branding Royal as too hot headed.
"At least (this has) served one purpose, which is to show that you get angry very quickly, you go off the rails very easily, Madame. A president is someone who has very serious responsibilities," Sarkozy said.
The first and only debate in the election race was shown live on two main television channels and was expected to be watched by nearly half of France's 44.5 million voters.
Analysts said they thought it would primarily have confirmed most voters in their original choice.
"I don't think either managed to convince the other camp. Both spoke to their own electorate," said Anita Hausser, political commentator for LCI TV.
Sarkozy topped the first round election on April 22 with 31.2 per cent of the ballot with Royal second on 25.9 per cent.
An opinion poll published late on Wednesday put support for Sarkozy at 53.5 per cent and Royal on 46.5 per cent, with 86 per cent of voters saying they would not change their minds ahead of the May 6 run off.
Seated directly opposite one another, a deliberately measured Sarkozy rarely looked Royal in the eyes, glancing instead to the pair of presiding journalists as though seeking their approval.
Royal by contrast fixed him with a severe stare and dismissed his accusation that she had lost her calm.
"There is anger that is perfectly healthy... I won't allow the immorality of political speeches to gain the upper hand," she said, sitting ramrod straight.
One of the night's highlights was an altercation over the 35-hour work week that the last Socialist government introduced and that Sarkozy plans to circumvent if elected.
"The 35-hour week was a complete catastrophe," said Sarkozy, prompting Royal to ask why his government had not changed it.
Sarkozy has led every poll since mid-January, and the debate represented Royal's last and her best chance to close the gap.
Her supporters hailed her performance.
"This will play well and make people who are hesitating think again, notably those who maybe think that France is not yet ready to make a woman president," said Jean-Marc Ayrault, a senior Socialist politician.
But Sarkozy's fans said she had gone over the top.
"(Sarkozy) showed himself greatly superior ... (Royal) rather lost control of her tone and her remarks," said Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.
Previous debates have proved important in the past. Centrist Valery Giscard d'Estaing said his 1974 exchange with Socialist candidate Francois Mitterrand clinched his election.
- REUTERS
