Sarkozy woos Bayrou supporters

By Alasdair Sandford
BBC News, Paris

The presidential race has entered its final week

French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has held a rally in Paris before thousands of supporters.

He called on those who had backed the defeated centrist candidate, Francois Bayrou, to join him.

Both Mr Sarkozy and his socialist challenger, Segolene Royal, have been battling to win over the voters from the political centre ground.

A week before the decisive round of voting the opinion polls have shown a slight lead for Mr Sarkozy.

After several days dominated by events surrounding Segolene Royal's televised debate with Francois Bayrou, this was Nicolas Sarkozy's chance to regain centre stage.

The indoor stadium was packed with cheering supporters, many more watched on giant screens outside.

Europe diary: Bayrou watch

Much of his speech was devoted to the themes he has addressed many times on the campaign trial.

He stressed that France would not tolerate violent crime and that the country needed to value work again.

But there were overtures towards the centre ground.

He said the views of Mr Bayrou's supporters would be taken into account and he offered to introduce some proportional representation in parliament.

As the campaign enters its final week the tussle for the centre ground is showing no sign of easing up.

When Segolene Royal was asked whether she would consider making Mr Bayrou her prime minister, she said she ruled nothing out.