Hollande rejects Sarko debate call

SOCIALIST presidential challenger François Hollande has rejected a demand from President Nicolas Sarkozy for them to have three televised debates in the run-up to the second round on May 6.

Hollande, favourite after taking 28.63% of the vote against Sarkozy's 27.18%, says one debate is "traditional" and he sees no reason to change.

He told a meeting in Quimper in Brittany that before the first round vote Sarkozy's team had offered two live debates and said: "Perhaps after the second round it will be four - but it will be too late. Just because he is worried is no reason to change the rules."

Sarkozy's spokeswoman, Nathalie Koscuisko-Morizet, said Hollande was "scared" of a debate.

Meanwhile, the president-candidate says he is to hold a giant rally in Paris on May 1, Labour Day to celebrate "real work".

Speaking outside his HQ in Paris, he said he wanted to honour those who worked hard and who wanted "no more of those who do not work getting more than those who work".

His rally plan coincides with the traditional Paris rally in honour of Joan of Arc by Marine Le Pen's Front National and traditional union-led street parades in the capital. It may also be the eve of the planned single TV debate.

Le Pen, who took a best-ever vote of 18.01% in Sunday's vote, has said she will give no advice to her supporters on who to vote for in the second round - or even whether to vote.
Photo: Charles Hendelus