FRANCE: Segoline Royal visits Paris street market and calls for a big turnout in presidential vote

Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal goes walkabout in a Paris street market, smiling and shaking hands with voters on the last day of campaigning before Sunday's first round of presidential elections. Socialist candidate Segolene Royal went walkabout in the colourful rue Montorgueil street market on Friday (April 20), greeting voters and shop owners the last day of campaigning before the first round of the presidential election on Sunday (April 22). Royal was joined by the Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who introduced her to the crowd as "the next president of France". Royal greeted people walking in the street and shook hands with those sitting in the sun at outdoor cafes. One of those she greeted, who gave his name as Mathieu, said he found Royal charming but that he had not yet decided whom to vote for. "She is very pretty," he said, but added that was not a reason to vote for her. Asked if he had decided who he was going to vote for he answered: "No, not yet. We'll decide in the voting booths." During her walkabout, Royal called for a good turnout in Sunday's election. "Above all I ask the French people to come in great numbers and vote freely," she said. "The new face of France must be drawn with all the French people. It is with them that I want to build the French presidency, and the result of the first round and the strength of the turnout will give the dynamics for the second round, so France can take the lead and choose the values that it can be proud of, and regain confidence in itself." Royal's chief opponent is conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, who has held a consistent lead in the opinion polls for months, but Royal has narrowed the gap in recent days. Analysts say both centrist Francois Bayrou and far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen could yet cause an upset. A dozen candidates are seeking election and if, as expected, no one wins an absolute majority on April 22 the top two will meet in a second-round off on May 6. OS/AD

ITN Source | April 20, 2007

Tags:. .source. .friday. .asked. .ask. .walking