The two France's presidential runners Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal carried on a frantic run-off dispute Wednesday evening. Photo by economist.com
The two France's presidential runners carried on a violent TV dispute, watched by more than 20 million people on Wednesday.
Centre-right Nicolas Sarkozy and socialist contender Segolene Royal discussed the country as a whole, the institutions, economic, social, education and environmental topics as well as some European and international issues.
Royal accused her opponent of political immorality and he reproached her for easily getting very nervous, which is not an advantage for a head of state.
The socialist candidate has also claimed Sarkozy did not manage to combat the crime when he was an internal minister and he for his part rejected Royal's economic platform.
The two opponents argued also on Turkey's accession to the European Union. According to Sarkozy this country should not join the block, as it is not a part from Europe but from Asia Minor. Royal said the pre-accession negotiations must continue.
The presidential runners agreed on the thesis that the Iran's nuclear program is quite dangerous and the situation in the Islamic republic should be firmly approached.
The debate, which lasted 40 minutes more than the previously fixed two hours, was leaded by two journalists. There was no audience in the studio.
Nicolas Sarkozy claimed 31 % and Segolene Royal - 26 % of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections. The two candidates will meet in the run-off on May 6 to set up a classic right versus left fight.