French Socialist Ségolène Royal has closed the gap on presidential frontrunner Nicolas Sarkozy but would still lose to the right-winger in a run-off ballot, a new opinion poll showed today.
The TNS Sofres poll conducted on April 16/17 showed Ms Royal scoring 49 per cent in the second round, compared to 48 per cent a week ago, and Mr Sarkozy coming in at 51 per cent, versus 52 per cent in its previous survey. The TNS Sofres survey came after a CSA poll this week showed the two front-runners on the same 50 per cent level.
Mr Sarkozy has led opinion polls since the beginning of the year. The first round of France's election takes place on Sunday, with the second round run-off due on May 6th.