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Bayrou stays neutral

Vaiju Naravane

Leaves top contenders in a quandary

Paris: "I shall give no instructions whatsoever to my voters. Sometimes one sees no viable choice. When that happens abstaining or voting blank becomes a way out," said French centrist candidate Francois Bayrou whose 6.8 million voters have become the major stake in France's presidential election.

At a press conference in Paris, Mr. Bayrou refused to endorse either conservative Nicolas Sarkozy or socialist Segolene Royal who are to face each other in the second round run-off slated for May 6. His refusal left both candidates in something of a quandary. Both need Mr. Bayrou's votes to swing the run-off in their favour. In the first round held on April 22, Mr. Bayrou came in third with 18.5 per cent of the vote. Mr. Sarkozy was in the lead with 31 per cent while Ms. Royal came in second with 25.4 per cent of the vote. Mr. Bayrou's electorate has become crucial for the second round finalists.

"I will give no instructions for the vote. I consider that the French people who voted for me are citizens free to make their own choice," Mr. Bayrou said adding that he had received several telephone calls from both Mr. Sarkozy and Ms. Royal.

"I suddenly found that after the results were announced I, who had been spurned by both, became the most desired, sympathetic and deductive person in France," he joked.

Scathing attack

Mr. Bayrou, whose credibility was boosted by his performance in Sunday's first round, announced the creation of a new political party, the Democrat Party, to contest legislative elections in June.

The centrist launched a scathing attack on both candidates, saying they were unable to heal France's ailing democratic institutions, ease social tensions or spur economic growth. But he was uncommonly harsh against Mr. Sarkozy. "By his close links to the business world and media powers, his taste for intimidation and threat, Nicolas Sarkozy will concentrate powers as they have never been. By his character and the themes he has chosen, risks worsening the social rift through a policy that benefits the richest.

Segolene Royal appears to have better intentions in terms of democracy. She seems more attentive to the fabric of our society.

But her programme is full of state intervention, perpetuating the illusion that it is up to the state to do everything, that it can do everything.

This programme goes exactly against the steps needed to give our country back its creativity and balance."

Saying threats did not work with him, Mr. Bayrou said he would field his own Democrat Party candidates in every single constituency in France. Mr. Sarkozy had said he would form a "centrist pole" within his UMP and warned he would ignore past seat adjustments with Mr. Bayrou unless the latter endorsed him for the run-off.

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