HIGHLIGHTS 2-France's Royal, Sarkozy go head to head in debate

PARIS (Reuters) - French right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy and his Socialist rival Segolene Royal went head-to-head on Wednesday in a live television debate that could decide Sunday's presidential election.

Below are highlights from the showdown, which began at 1900

GMT:

* CLOSING REMARKS

SARKOZY: "I want to act. I want to act passionately in the service of my country.

"I want to create that change in France that others have conducted in other countries, so that France remains faithful to its identity. There's no reason why we should not have full employment, that we should not manage to have immigration under control.

"I want workers to be respected. I want to carry the question of purchasing power. I want to protect the French of companies moving abroad. And I want to tell those who think that life is too hard ... that for me, as a president, everyone will be useful, everyone will have the right to work, everyone will have the right to live in dignity from the fruits of their labor."

ROYAL: "I also want to address those who are still hesitating. I want to tell them to make the choice of audacity. I know that for some of you, it will not be obvious to say that a woman can incarnate the highest responsibilities.

"Others are doing it on this planet. There's (German Chancellor) Angela Merkel. So I think it's possible.

"The fight against all forms of insecurity, violence, precarity will allow us to build a peaceful France where reforms will be possible without bullying. I will never set the French against each other."

* WHAT THEY THINK OF EACH OTHER

SARKOZY: "Madame Royal knows well that I respect her talent and competence and I've taken the time to tell her, which caused me a few problems with my friends. I think that she's not got to where she has by chance.

"The republican system is such that one has to develop great qualities to be the representative of one's own party. I have respect for Madame Royal's career. We have different appreciation and points of view.... she's more a rival than an adversary. I have no personal feelings of hostility towards Madame Royal."

ROYAL: "I abstain from personal judgements. I think first of all that political debate is a debate of ideas. From that point of view you are a partner in this democratic debate that we're having right now. I think what's important is the choice of society that we represent, the difference of values, the way we plan to exercise power."

* CLASH OVER HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

SARKOZY: "Calm down, don't point at me with your finger like that." ...