New French poll points to Sarkozy win

A poll published on the final day of French presidential campaigning before Sunday's vote indicated that conservative Nicolas Sarkozy was in the lead, poised to beat Socialist Segolene Royal.

The survey released today by TNS Sofres Unilog said Sarkozy and Royal would be the leaders in Sunday's first-round balloting, with 28 and 24% of the vote respectively, allowing them to advance to the runoff.

Francois Bayrou, a candidate who tries to bridge the left-right political divide, was in third place with 19.5%, while far-right nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen was credited with 14%.

In the second round of voting May 6, Sarkozy would win with 53% of the vote, compared with 47% for Royal, the poll said.

Candidates are required to stop campaigning by midnight.