French election debate cancelled

Mr Bayrou has refused to endorse a second-round candidate

A proposed televised debate between the French socialist presidential contender Segolene Royal and defeated centrist Francois Bayrou has been cancelled.

The TV station organising the debate, scheduled for Saturday, said it had pulled out because of broadcasting rules on equal airtime for candidates.

Ms Royal's opponent in the final round, Nicolas Sarkozy, had refused to take part, saying there was little point it.

Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal will hold their own televised debate on 2 May.

"(The) rules impose a strict equality of air time between presidential candidates, so Canal Plus cannot broadcast the debate between Segolene Royal and Francois Bayrou," Canal Plus, the TV channel organising the event said.

'Political restlessness'

Mr Bayrou came third in the first round of the poll and has declined to endorse either of the remaining candidates.

Mr Sarkozy had described the decision to hold a debate as "political restlessness".

"I think this episode is a rather ridiculous tragi-comedy," he said.

"There is a debate between the two candidates chosen for the second round. All the rest is just political restlessness. It ends in a ridiculous way.

"I said I was open to dialogue but we've never seen a World Cup final where it is the teams who arrived in the third and fourth positions that are demanding to play the final game."

The socialist candidate has been trying to win over a large cross-section of the electorate from the hard left to the political centre in order to beat Mr Sarkozy, says the BBC's Alastair Sandford in Paris.

She has been proactive in her attempts to woo Mr Bayrou and the 6.8 million people who voted for him, our correspondent adds.

Earlier this week, Ms Royal called for talks on a possible alliance and indicated she might include ministers from Mr Bayrou's party, the UDF, in her government.

But some left-wing allies believe Ms Royal is playing a dangerous political game and risks ceding too much power to Mr Bayrou.

"If it is her objective to beat Nicolas Sarkozy, it's totally contradictory to go looking for the votes of all of the left while at the same time preparing the base for a political alliance with Bayrou," the leftist LCR party said in a statement.

Undecided

Many of those who voted for Mr Bayrou are unhappy with the idea of Mr Sarkozy leading France and yet dissatisfied with Ms Royal as an alternative.

"I find it impossible to make a decision," said 60-year-old Parisian Jacques Lauvergeat. "How do you decide between the plague and cholera?"

Ms Royal and Mr Sarkozy are locked in battle for the middle ground

"I do not think Segolene is a credible leader, but I am part of the 'Anyone but Sarkozy' crowd. I will vote for her to block his path," said 28-year-old Gaelle Dirat.

Analysts say the stark difference between the rival candidates' economic policies may aid undecided centrist voters in their final choice.

Nicolas Sarkozy is the candidate seen as the most business-friendly, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in Paris.

He has promised to lower taxes, slash red tape and cut state spending, as well as making it more difficult for the public sector to go on strike.

Segolene Royal, in contrast, has promised gentle reform but greater security for the workforce and more generous welfare benefits.