Bayrou accuses Sarkozy of using influence to ensure French election TV debate is cancelled

FRENCH centrist Francois Bayrou, whose voters hold the key to next month’s presidential election, accused front-runner Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday of subverting free speech by stifling a televised debate with a rival.

Bayrou said Sarkozy had used his media and business contacts to pull the plug on today’s debate on Canal+ television between Bayrou and Segolene Royal, Sarkozy’s Socialist challenger in a May 6 run-off vote.

Sarkozy called the accusations insulting and his campaign director said Bayrou was using “Stalinist tactics.” “It’s slander, a slanderous insinuation,” said Claude Gueant.

Bayrou’s strong third place in Sunday’s first round means his almost 7 million voters could decide whether Royal or Sarkozy win the run-off. Bayrou has refused to endorse Royal or Sarkozy but made clear his antipathy to the latter.

Canal+ axed plans to broadcast the debate on Thursday, citing election rules on equal airtime for candidates.

But Bayrou, asked if Sarkozy was responsible, said: “I don’t have the proof but I am certain of it.

“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.”

Royal said: “I think all the pressures that have 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.”

Royal is keen to use the debate to flag the values she shares with Bayrou and draw away moderates attracted to Sarkozy’s energy and drive, but worried by his hard-liner image.

Royal said she had risen above the boundaries that traditionally separated parties and it was her duty to embrace good ideas wherever she found them “so France can get to its feet quickly.”

Royal has narrowed the gap on Sarkozy but still trails in recent surveys.