Q&A: Sarkozy's and Hollande's plans for France

A wall screen shows the televised debate between Socialist Party candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande and current President and conservative rival for re-election, Nicolas Sarkozy

The candidates have both struck a combative tone

After months of campaigning and a close-fought first round, on 6 May French voters face a straight choice between the centre-right incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy, and his Socialist rival, Francois Hollande, as their president for the next five years.

<paragraph>What are the candidates' slogans?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What sets them apart on the economy?</paragraph>

<paragraph>How do they compare on foreign affairs?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What are their most controversial pledges?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What was their final TV debate pitch?</paragraph>

<link> <caption>BBC Monitoring</caption> <url href="http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk/" platform="highweb"/> </link> <italic>selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, </italic> <link> <caption>click here</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18190302" platform="highweb"/> </link>