Monsieur SARKOZY is the only one who can wake up our country ! We don't want any more old politicians and socialists. Some of them are very bright and I fully respect their ideas. Nevertheless Royal is dangerous : she is the result of a amazing marketing strategy. Unfortunately for her, the debate has shown her real nature : no argumentation, no economical strategy, very vague on the mains topics, and so agressive...
Sarkozy (I will vote for him) was OK but not as good as I was expecting. Perahp's he was avoiding a mistake... But he really deceives me on the social topics... But, in face of Royal, he is the best to drive or country and develop our old our socialist economy.

Vincent L., Paris, France

I think I will vote but it is not easy to decide. Mr Sarkozy was not nervous but he was aggressive and It is not a quality for a president... that is why if I vote It will not be for Sarkozy... we will see it sunday

Nathalie, Cherbourg, FRANCE

Mr Sarkozy was ahead and needed 1 thing : not to lose his temper. And so he did.
Mrs Royal was behind and needed 2 things: show her consistency, and so she did, and prove more controlled than Sarkozy, and there she failed.

bernard, paris, france

The true personality of Mrs Royal, had'nt you been aware of it before, appeared full scale during "the" debate. She is still too vague when exposing her ideas, she blends up all the different subjects, she ignores the proposed plan of the journalists to organise the different topics of the debate. She showed that she has no method whatsoever, and it looks like a bad sign for the job of president. A tough cookie, she sure is, but this doesn't make her competent, as once was a Maggie Thatcher in GB. Mr Sarkozy masters all his files and dossiers, he showed us that he can remain collected under attack, he repeated his determination to get the results he committed himself to, and he seems to me that he is in a position to succeed.

Michel LE QUANG, Vic la Gardiole, FRANCE

I shall not vote

Michael, Cahagnes, France

The debate was more interesting than expected by most, with both contenders adroitly fencing across the table. Mr Sarkozy however appeared more in control of facts and figures, though somewhat (willingly) subdued in front of a female candidate he would not be forgiven for verbally assaulting. Mrs Royal gave the show its fine moment with a highly televisual, emotional outburst that Mr Sarkozy certainly expected, though he proved a little awkward in replying. There was a reminder of earlier presidential debates when Mr Giscard d'Estaing famously rebuked his then challenger François Mitterrand over his perceived 'monopoly of the heart' and certainly this is what will be remembered over the years. All in all, a surprisingly lively debate, especially when compared with the lacklustre exchange between Mr Jospin and Mr Chirac in 1995, but really more of a ritual confrontation than anything else.
Nothing to sway swing voters one way or another then, but good fun nevertheless.

TAVIOT olivier, Rennes, FRANCE

Mr. Sarkozy will win.

Francesco R., Salonic, Greece

Lao Tse said:

"The visible makes the shape of the work, the non-visible makes it's value."
People make the diference.
The life is worth to be lived because of it's timeless design. We need to take time for essentials... for reflexion... feelings... beauty and culture.
The time which confers a sense of eternity...
New France, new emphasis... ENFIN UN HOMME!

DANKOVIC, TOULOUSE, FRANCE

Royal would be a presidential disaster, not because she lost controle during the debate but because she is unable to bring France the real renewals badly needed on many fronts. If Royal becomes President she will serve the country more of the same as in the past and marginalise it further. Sarkozy on the other hand appears to be ready to implement the changes required for econimic growth and lower unemployment leading to tax reductions. Only he can (perhabs) persuade the many of French citizens who left their country in disgust over its current state and policies. As president Sarkozy might return France to the position it deserves in a Europe which needs it badly.

Ben Larsen, Peralada,