almotamar.net - PARIS Sapa-AFP-- French presidential contenders yesterday scrambled to sway millions of voters who remain undecided four days ahead of the first round of voting in what is shaping up as a cliffhanger election.
Right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy held the lead in most polls.
However, with at least one in three voters still unconvinced, he said was fighting for every vote ahead of the poll on Sunday.
Sarkozy is facing a strong challenge from Socialist Party rival Segolene Royal, who wants to become France’s first woman president. Centrist Francois Bayrou could also spring a surprise from his number three position in the polls.
“There are 17-million undecided voters. They are still considering (their choice). I see this as a mark of their high demands,” said Royal.
“They know that France is in a bad state,” she said in an interview with Metro newspaper.
“They are perfectly aware of the debt, deficit, social programmes, unemployment, and they know that the stakes are high and that what will be done in the coming years will change the face of France in either a positive or a negative way.”
Royal is trailing Sarkozy in the polls for the first round of voting.
Surveys also show that Bayrou stands a stronger chance of beating Sarkozy in the runoff set for May 6.
Far-right leader Jean-Marie le Pen holds the fourth spot with about 13,5% of the vote, according to the latest Ipsos/Dell survey.
Sarkozy yesterday played down concern that his high-octane personality inspires more fear than admiration among voters.
“There has never been an election when the frontrunner has not been attacked on his personality,” said Sarkozy, whose critics see him as a divisive figure who has alienated many in the immigrant suburbs with his tough rhetoric.
Le Pen said in a radio interview that he found it “curious” that the press was not taking more of an interest in the whereabouts of Sarkozy’s wife, Cecilia.
She has been noticeably absent from Sarkozy’s side in the campaign.
The latest Ifop poll showed that Sarkozy was making inroads among young first-time voters, with 30% set to back him, compared with 23% for Bayrou and 22% for Royal.