Profiles of the French candidates
By The Associated Press Sat May 5, 2:11 PM ET
A look at the two rivals fighting for France's presidency in Sunday's runoff election:
NICOLAS SARKOZY
Sarkozy says he is destined to become France's president. His many enemies deeply fear that fate.
The conservative front-runner's rigorous language, pledge of "rupture" with the past and pro-American posture have captivated fans hungry for decisive change. But his invective against delinquents and uncompromising attitude have incensed opponents.
Sarkozy's rise marks the first time a child of an immigrant has made it this close to the French presidency — his father fled Hungary's encroaching communists after World War II — yet some of Sarkozy's fiercest critics are immigrant minorities.
The 52-year-old ex-interior minister is despised by many black and Arab youth in dreary housing projects that exploded in riots in 2005, and that he has pledged to clean up with a power hose. The anger over discrimination, joblessness and alienation that drove those riots will be a key challenge for the next president.
Critics question how the often hotheaded Sarkozy would lead a country proud of its cool-headed diplomacy. Dubbed "Sarko the American" by critics, he says France and the United States share democratic kinship — but insists his nuclear nation is "nobody's vassal."
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SEGOLENE ROYAL
Segolene Royal has already proven her military officer father wrong: He assumed his three daughters would amount to less than his five sons, yet she's the one who is one step from the presidency.
The Socialist candidate's campaign is lagging behind Sarkozy's, but Royal has long played the underdog, surprising rivals who underestimate her.
Royal, 53, says she's had a tougher time in this campaign as a woman, but also says voters should choose a mother as president to prove they want change.
As the final vote neared, Royal's leftist policies and persona played a larger role in voters' decision than her gender.
Early in the race Royal spoke admiringly of British Prime Minister
Tony Blair's third-way economic policies, then came out with a traditional Socialist platform, pledging to raise the minimum wage and create 500,000 subsidized youth jobs.
Foreign affairs are a weak spot, and it's still unclear exactly how she wants to change France's 35-hour workweek, an important question.