French Head Into Election Weekend

Mr Sarkozy, who last year notoriously spoke of getting rid of the "scum" in the banlieues has promised to be tough on law and order and cut taxes. But his divisive politics and hardline attitude to immigration and justice matters is proving too right wing for some conservative voters.


Once aligning himself with all things American – last year he said he enjoyed being called "Sarkozy the American" - he continues to raise controversy. He suggested last week that "people are born paedophiles." But a new softer 'Sarko' has also been on display in recent weeks hoping to woo those voters that French papers have said he is scaring off.


Meanwhile, Ms Royal has a 100-point presidential programme but has not managed to persuade voters she has a clear political vision. Early in her campaign she put off answers to difficult policy questions.


But her answers, when they came, such as promises to create 500,000 state-funded jobs for young people (where unemployment runs close to 20 percent) and raise the minimum wage were not seen as convincing.


Repeated gaffes, particularly in the area of foreign policy, as well as internal disputes within the fractious socialist party have further dented her credibility.


And the person who could have capitalised on the voter uncertainty in the left and right camps, Mr Bayou, has failed to set the French electorate alight. Occupying the middle ground, and presenting himself as a man of the people who will bridge the gap between left and right, the former education minister has presented a programme that is a mix of social policy and pro-business reform.