Tempers fray in French presidential debate

May 03, 2007

Right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy and socialist rival Segolene Royal staged an often bad tempered televised debate Wednesday that could have a crucial effect on France's presidential vote. Facing each other across a table, Royal, who trails her rival in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's runoff vote, launched a volley of attacks on Sarkozy's record in government and their disagreements repeatedly flared into ill-restrained hostility. An estimated 20 million viewers were engrossed by the two and half hours of exchanges on the reasons and cures for France's economic and social problems. But analysts said neither could claim victory. Images and soundbites.