Pleas, insults in last leg of race for Elysee

Just days before the French begin choosing their next president, the dozen candidates moved into the final stretch like a band of ragtag political warriors, insulting, pleading and bickering for votes in the first round of an election that no one dares call in advance.

Socialist presidential hopeful Segolene Royal made an unflinching appeal to women to support her. Far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen asked for help from French patriots while front-runner Nicolas Sarkozy reached out to farmers, to those who voted no to a European constitution and to all who love France.

Unlike previous elections, no single theme has emerged. Jobs, immigration and the French identity have all taken turns in the spotlight.