Defiant Sarkozy blasts ‘lying’ opinion polls

Nicolas Sarkozy today insisted “the opinion polls are lying” as a vicious live TV debate failed to reignite his bid to be re-elected President of France.

The 57-year-old conservative went head-to-head with François Hollande, his socialist rival, during the three-hour broadcast yesterday evening.

Both men exchanged insults, with Mr Sarkozy accusing Mr Hollande of “lies and slander” about everything from his plans to tax the rich to his policies on Europe. But Mr Sarkozy failed to land a knock-out blow and — with three days before the country votes — Mr Hollande was still far ahead in the opinion polls.

Styling himself during the debate “the president of justice” and “the president of unity”, Mr Hollande, 57, accused Sarkozy of being an abject failure during his five years in power.

Referring to the debate, which was watched by almost 18 million people, an editorial in Le Monde said: “It was a draw but as Mr Hollande started as favourite, he remains the favourite.” The Left-wing Liberation newspaper, meanwhile, carried the headline: “Hollande presides over the debate.”

But speaking on French radio today, Mr Sarkozy said: “The opinion polls are lying. An election has never been more open. This election is even more open after the debate.”

Mr Sarkozy also appealed to the six million plus far-Right voters who backed Marine Le Pen in the first round of the election.

Ms Le Pen has advised them to abstain on Sunday, but Mr Sarkozy asked them: “Who would benefit if you cast a blank vote? It would benefit Hollande, the regularisation of immigrants, crazy overspending.”

The latest IFOP poll shows Mr Hollande ahead with 54 per cent of votes to 46 per cent for Mr Sarkozy.