Royal's fiery performance subdues Sarko

French presidential hopefuls Segolene Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy performed as if they had switched roles during last night's TV debate.

Ms Royal, in an uncharacteristically fiery performance forced Mr Sarkozy onto the defensive, attacking his record in office and accusing him of political immorality.

At times unsettled, and generally subdued, Mr Sarkozy managed to hit back, questioning whether she could handle the pressures of the presidency.

Analysts said neither contender appeared to have landed a knockout blow just four days before their run-off election.

Ms Royal, who took to pointing her finger at her rival, set the tone from the outset of the 160-minute duel.

She charged that the outgoing conservative government in which Mr Sarkozy served as both interior and finance minister, had failed to tackle unemployment, cut debt or reduce street crime.

"You are in part responsible for the situation in which France finds itself today," Ms Royal said during the marathon debate.

Her unexpectedly feisty performance cheered supporters and she told reporters later that she hoped she had disproved critics who said she was not competent enough to do the job.

"I believe that I have showed this evening that I have solidity and inner strength," she said.

But Mr Sarkozy's fans were relieved that their champion, often portrayed by his critics as overly aggressive, had stayed calm and had turned the tables by branding Ms Royal as too hot headed.

"At least [this has] served one purpose, which is to show that you get angry very quickly, you go off the rails very easily, Madame. A president is someone who has very serious responsibilities," Mr Sarkozy said.

"There is anger that is perfectly healthy ... I won't allow the immorality of political speeches to gain the upper hand," she said.

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