Presidential hopefuls clash in TV debate

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist challenger François Hollande clashed in their only televised debate last night, seen as the conservative incumbent’s last chance to turn the odds of re-election in his favour.

Trailing Hollande in opinion polls by six to 10 points before Sunday’s decisive run-off despite an aggressive campaign and a lurch to the right to appeal to far-right voters, Sarkozy said he wanted the prime-time debate to be a “moment of truth”.

Hollande appeared more confident and relaxed in the opening exchanges, saying he aimed to be “the president of justice”, “the president of revival”, and “the president of unity”.