This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6126230.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French rivals hold last TV debate French rivals hold last TV debate
(about 11 hours later)
The three rivals hoping to be France's Socialist presidential candidate have held their final televised debate. The three rivals hoping to be France's Socialist presidential candidate have laid out their views on foreign affairs in a final televised debate.
The debate, between front-runner Segolene Royal and ex-ministers Laurent Fabius and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, focused on foreign affairs. Front-runner Segolene Royal faced ex-ministers Laurent Fabius and Dominique Strauss-Kahn - both perceived to have more international experience.
Ms Royal's popularity dropped after the first two debates, and supporters of her rivals hope their international experience might give them the edge. The debate covered Iran's nuclear programme, Turkey's position in Europe and France's relationship with the EU.
The Socialist primary election is scheduled for 16 November.The Socialist primary election is scheduled for 16 November.
The debate followed the same non-confrontational format as the previous two meetings, which were criticised because all the questions were submitted in advance and there were no spontaneous exchanges. The winning candidate is likely to face Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, leader of the conservative UMP party, in the presidential election, set for 22 April.
The rivals tackled key foreign policy issues such as Iraq, the French relationship with the US and the future of the EU, including attitudes to Turkey's bid for membership. President Jacques Chirac's five-year term expires in mid-May and he is not expected to run for a third term.
On the subject of Turkey, Mr Strauss-Kahn, a former economy minister, maintained his view that Turkey should eventually join the European Union. Socialist split
Mr Fabius, a former prime minister, proposed "a privileged partnership". The TV debate followed the same non-confrontational format as the previous two meetings, which were criticised because all the questions were submitted in advance and there were no spontaneous exchanges.
Ms Royal, who had previously been vague on the issue, said there should be a "pause" in EU expansion and said she would favour a referendum. The trio's differences were starkest on the issue of Turkey's application to join the EU.
'Building democracy' While Mr Strauss-Kahn, a former economy minister, backed Turkey's eventual membership, Mr Fabius, a former prime minister, said it should be offered nothing more than "a privileged partnership".
The previous debates have been criticised for being dullThe three also said they wanted France to continue to be a key ally to the United States, but one that would maintain its independence in policy decisions. Ms Royal, who had previously been vague on the issue, said there should be a "pause" in EU expansion and said she would favour a referendum of the French public - which is believed to oppose Turkish membership.
However, Ms Royal criticised the Bush administration saying: "We cannot accept the concept of preventive war nor succumb to the temptation of unilateralism." The debates have been criticised for being dullThe three all said they wanted France to continue to be a key US ally, but one that would maintain its independence in policy decisions.
However, Ms Royal criticised the Bush administration, saying: "We cannot accept the concept of preventive war nor succumb to the temptation of unilateralism."
She avoided the question of a US withdrawal from Iraq but said the international community needed to help Iraqis build democracy, adding that any success would be solely due to their effort.She avoided the question of a US withdrawal from Iraq but said the international community needed to help Iraqis build democracy, adding that any success would be solely due to their effort.
On Iran, Ms Royal insisted the country should not be allowed to enrich uranium, but the others disagreed, saying that would only antagonise Tehran.
Ms Royal, who leads France's Poitou-Charentes regional council, retains a clear lead over her rivals, polls say. But she may yet be forced into a run-off contest on 23 November.Ms Royal, who leads France's Poitou-Charentes regional council, retains a clear lead over her rivals, polls say. But she may yet be forced into a run-off contest on 23 November.
The Socialists' candidate, to be chosen in November, is likely to face current Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, leader of the conservative UMP party.
Last month the French government set 22 April 2007 as the date for the presidential election. A second-round run-off between two candidates would be held, if necessary, on 6 May.
President Jacques Chirac's five-year term expires in mid-May. He is not expected to run for a third term.