FRANCE: Sarkozy holds major rally in Paris ahead of May 6 run-off

Just days ahead of the run-off vote, Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy led a big rally in the French capital Paris on Sunday (April 29, 2007). Joining the thousands of supporters who packed the rally venue was French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Sarkozy will be facing Socialist Segolene Royal in the run-off vote on May 6. During the rally on Sunday, Sarkozy reiterated his commitment to serve France if elected president. "I want to share my experience with the French people. Things that I have learned in life. My triumph and trials. I gave everything. I went with the strong will to change things. I don't want be elected president of the republic just to get the status. I want to change things to give an answer to the problems of France, to the problems that the French people are facing," Sarkozy told cheering supporters. Supporters unable to go inside the stadium gathered outside. "Yes I voted for Nicolas Sarkozy. I went only two times to a political rally in my life. 1969 for the General De Gaulle and in 2007 for Nicolas Sarkozy. To me he is the man," said a female supporter identified only as Eliane. "He has a programme. He has got an answer on everything, not like Madame Royal who does not have answer to the real problems," said supporter Paul Aurelien. Royal and Sarkozy will hold a hotly-awaited prime time television debate on Wednesday (May 2) evening which is seen as the grand finale of the presidential campaign. Like Royal, Sarkozy has also reached out to Bayrou's voters but he has refused to take part in a television debate with him -- an event which is usually reserved for the two second round finalists. Many of the deputies from Bayrou's UDF party, which has traditionally formed alliances with right-wing governments, have said they will vote for Sarkozy, who has promised to have UDF ministers in his government if he is elected. Bayrou has refused to endorse either candidate.

ITN Source | April 30, 2007