Sarkozy leads election race

May 4 - Right wing candidate Nicolas Sarkozy holds a commanding lead heading into the final round of the French presidential elections.

His opponent, the Socialist Segolene Royal has warned that France risks violence and brutality if Sarkozy emerges from Sunday's vote triumphant.

Richard Edgar reports for Reuters from Paris.

Follow Reuters Global Coverage of the final campaigning of the French presidential candidates

• Global Coverage: French poll finale
  Darcy Lampton and Richard Edgar introduces the Global Coverage.
  • French choose next President
    Nicolas Sarkozy goes into Sunday's election the clear front-runner, around ten points ahead of his rival, Segolene Royal. Richard Edgar reports on the factors swaying minds in and around Paris.
  • U.S. watching French race closely
  • Sarkozy in the lead
  • Sarkozy leads election race
    Right wing candidate Nicolas Sarkozy holds a commanding lead heading into the final round of the French presidential elections.
  • Royal goes for the jugular
    Darcy Lambton speaks to Eric Albert of the French newspaper La Croix about Segolene Royal's last day of campaigning.
  • Clash of the presidential gladiators
    Like gladiators entering the ring, French presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal attend their respective closing rallies.