Sarkozy, Royal go on offensive in French TV debate

PARIS, May 3 (Reuters) Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal turned on her rightist rival Nicolas Sarkozy during an often ill-tempered TV debate, attacking his record in office and accusing him of political immorality.

But a restrained Sarkozy hit back, questioning whether she could handle the pressures of the presidency, and analysts said neither contender appeared to have landed the knockout blow just four days before their run-off election.

Royal set the tone from the outset of the 160-minute duel, repeatedly forcing Sarkozy to defend the outgoing conservative government in which he served as interior and finance minister.

''What have you done during the past five years? There is a problem of credibility here,'' Royal said, often interrupting Sarkozy during quickfire exchanges on a range of issues from the economy to security, from nuclear energy to pensions.

Regularly on the defensive, Sarkozy at one point accused his rival of losing her temper during a row over schooling for the disabled.

''At least (this has) served one purpose, which is to show that you get angry very quickly, you go off the rails very easily, Madame. A president is someone who has very serious responsibilities,'' Sarkozy said.

The first and only debate in the election race was shown live on two main television channels and was expected to be watched by nearly half of France's 44.5 million voters.

Both candidates slipped up during a detailed discussion on nuclear energy, but neither conceded any ground.

Both sides claimed victory, but analysts said the debate would merely have confirmed most voters in their choice.

''I don't think either managed to convince the other camp.

Both spoke to their own electorate ... Segolene Royal spoke to the weak, Nicolas Sarkozy to those who want things to move,'' said Anita Hausser, political commentator for LCI TV.

LAST CHANCE Sarkozy topped the first round election on April 22 with 31.2 percent of the ballot while Royal came second with 25.9 percent. They have since battled to win the backing of centrist voters who will hold the key on the May 6 run off.

Seated directly opposite one another, Sarkozy often seemed to hold back and rarely looked Royal in the eyes, talking instead to the pair of presiding journalists.

Sarkozy has been branded by opponents as overly aggressive, but yesterday, it was Royal who got the most heated and dismissed his accusation that she had lost her calm.

''There is anger that is perfectly healthy ... I won't allow the immorality of political speeches to gain the upper hand,'' she said, looking severe and sitting ramrod straight.

One of the highlights of the clash was a discussion over the 35-hour work week that the last Socialist government introduced and that Sarkozy plans to circumvent if elected.

''The 35-hour week was a complete catastrophe,'' said Sarkozy, prompting Royal to ask why his government had not changed it.

And he challenged the Socialist candidate when she announced a plan to tax earnings from share dealings in order to pay for higher pensions, without costing the measure.

''That's a stunning piece of detail. Can't you give us a figure?'' Sarkozy said, repeatedly goading her over the issue.

Sarkozy has led recent opinion polls by anything from four to eight percentage points, and for Royal the debate represented her last and her best chance to close the gap.

Her supporters hailed her performance.

''This will play well and make people who are hesitating think again, notably those who maybe think that France is not yet ready to make a woman president,'' said Jean-Marc Ayrault, a senior Socialist politician.

But Sarkozy's fans said she had gone over the top.

''(Sarkozy) showed himself greatly superior ... (Royal) rather lost control of her tone and her remarks,'' said Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

Previous debates have proved important in the past. Centrist Valery Giscard d'Estaing said his 1974 exchange with Socialist candidate Francois Mitterrand clinched his election.

REUTERS DH BST0650