FRANCE:Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal and a defeated centrist rival accused rightist contender Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday of trying to stifle freedom of speech, ramping up the pressure in the French election.
Centrist François Bayrou, whose voters hold the key to next month's presidential run-off between Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal, said the conservative leader had used his media contacts to try to stop him from holding a televised debate with the Socialist hopeful.
Mr Sarkozy called the accusations insulting and his campaign director said Mr Bayrou was using "Stalinist" tactics. "It's slander, a slanderous insinuation," said Claude Gueant.
The unusual debate between Mr Bayrou and Ms Royal was due to be screened on the Canal+ channel today, but the station cancelled on Thursday, citing election broadcasting rules that demand equal airtime for the two run-off finalists.
In the end, a small 24-hour news channel stepped into the breach, saying it would air the debate, which is aimed at seeing whether the Socialists and centrists can find common ground for a possible election alliance.
Ms Royal is keen to use today's debate to flag the values she shares with Mr Bayrou and draw away moderates attracted to Mr Sarkozy's energy and drive, but worried by his hardliner image. Some of Ms Royal's leftist supporters have criticised her move.
Mr Bayrou's third place in last Sunday's first round means his seven million voters could decide whether Ms Royal, who came second in the opening round of the election on April 22nd, or front runner Mr Sarkozy win the run-off.
Mr Bayrou has refused to endorse either but made clear his antipathy to Mr Sarkozy, who used to be a close ally, telling RTL radio he was sure Mr Sarkozy wanted to muzzle his opponents. "I say with certainty that we have before our eyes today the proof of this propensity or choice of Nicolas Sarkozy to control the news and debate, and this is harmful for France."
Ms Royal said: "I think all the pressure that has taken place, notably within a media-financial system to which Nicolas Sarkozy is very linked, have no reason to exist in a democratic country where freedom of speech and debate is very important."
Ms Royal has narrowed the gap on Mr Sarkozy but still trails in recent surveys, making it vital for her to woo the centrists.
Meanwhile, Italian prime minister Romano Prodi intervened yesterday, urging Ms Royal to work with Mr Bayrou for the sake of Europe. "I am convinced that new alliances between the centre-left can today give new dynamism to the political life and democracy of our societies and our Europe," Mr Prodi said.
"Dear Ségolène, dear French friends, we have to invent together a new way of conceiving democracy, a more inclusive, more direct, more active way that is closer to our citizens."
- (Reuters)