France's two presidential candidates are anxiously waiting to see whether defeated centrist Francois Bayrou will announce his backing of either rival.
Defeated French centrist Francois Bayrou has said he will not back either of the remaining candidates in the French presidential election.
Mr Bayrou, who came third in Sunday's first round, holds a news conference in Paris at 1530 (1330 GMT).
Mr Bayrou came third in Sunday's first round with 18% of the vote.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who took 31.2% of the vote, and Segolene Royal - 25.9% - may put members of Mr Bayrou's party in government, if they are elected.
He said he could not back either candidate as their current policies would not help the country.
Until now, Mr Bayrou has not committed to endorsing either candidate.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who took 31.2% of the vote, and Segolene Royal - 25.9% - are both standing in the second round of the election on Sunday 6 May.
'Political haggling'
Socialist candidate Segolene Royal, who had dismissed an alliance with Mr Bayrou ahead of Sunday's vote, seemed to be softening her stance ahead of the news conference.
Ms Royal has appealed to Mr Bayrou for a public dialogue about policies that they might share.
"If Francois Bayrou responds favourably to the offer of a public dialogue, the meeting will take place," said Ms Royal's campaign director, Francois Rebsamen.
In an interview with the Le Monde newspaper, Mr Sarkozy said his government would include a group representing ideas of the centre on issues such as Europe, social reform and the institutions of the Republic.
But, with a comfortable lead in the first round of the election, he has less need of a swing and he said he was not interested in backroom deals.
