France's Royal to woo centrists in TV debate

PARIS, Apr 28 (Reuters) Socialist French presidential contender Segolene Royal has narrowed the lead of conservative Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of the May 6 run-off vote, a poll showed on Saturday, ahead of a television debate.

Royal is to take part in a live TV debate with defeated candidate centrist Francois Bayrou in what analysts say is an attempt to woo centrists and broaden her electorate.

Royal, who came second in a first round poll on April 22, and frontrunner Sarkozy are eyeing the 7 million French who voted for third-placed Bayrou and whose votes in the second round could prove decisive.

An Ipsos poll published today showed Royal had edged up 0.5 percentage point to 47.5 per cent, compared to Sarkozy's 52.5 per cent.

Royal is keen to use Saturday's debate to flag the values she shares with Bayrou and draw away moderates attracted to Sarkozy's energy and drive, but worried by his hardliner image.

Some of Royal's leftist supporters have criticised her move.

Bayrou has endorsed neither Royal nor Sarkozy, but he clearly states his antipathy for the latter.

Even before the debate, Bayrou and Royal seemed to agree on one point -- their criticism of former interior minister Sarkozy.

Royal said yesterday she agreed with Bayrou on several issues, including the need to cut debt and on institutional reforms. But she said she would not compromise her belief that human values had to prevail over financial values.

Bayrou has said Royal's programme would worsen France's economic problems.

Bayrou this week announced plans for a new centrist party, with the provisional name of the Democratic Party, which would contest parliamentary polls in June.

Reuters SM RS1515