PARIS — Funny tricks, spying charges, satirical caricatures and blogs are flavoring France's cut-throat presidential race between Socialist candidate Segolene Royal and right-wing rival Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. French Comedian Gerald Dahan, who is seen as close to Sarkozy, played a trick Friday, January 26, on Royal when he had an 11-minute phone conversation with the opposition candidate posing as Prime Minister of Quebec Jean Charest.
The fake Dahan objected to recent statements made by Royal in which she backed the independence for the French-speaking Canadian province, sparking a diplomatic crisis between both countries.
A spokesman for Charest said the premier had not spoken with Royal and confirmed she had fallen victim to a hoax.
Recent Opinion polls showed that Sarkozy pulled ahead of Socialist candidate Segolene Royal for the Elysee seat.
According to the IFOP poll for Paris-Match magazine, in the event of a second round decider in May between the two candidates, Sarkozy would get 52 percent of the vote compared to 48 percent for his rival.
The last equivalent poll in November put Royal ahead by 51 to 49 percent.
If she won the race, Royal would become the first woman president of the heavyweight European country.
Spying Scandal
Supporters of both sides have traded barbs and accusations against each other, with each seeking to tarnish the image of the other party ahead of the polls.
Royal's supporters have field a lawsuit against the General Intelligence (RG) service citing a report by Le Canard Enchaine weekly that the Socialist candidate had been tapped at orders from Sarkozy, accusing the latter of abusing his powers as the Minister of Interior.
Socialist and liberal newspapers hit out at Sarkozy, urging him to step down and quit the presidential race.
Others ran caricatures portray a smiling Sarkozy abusing his powers from a cozy chair in his ministry.
Royal's brother, Antoine, has further accused the RG of spying on him to figure out points of weakness that could be used by Sarkozy.
Sarkozy, who has come to dominate France's political scene in the last five years, dismissed the claims as "ridiculous" and urged his Socialist rivals to keep their nerves under control.
"Rich" Socialist
The Sarkozites further hit out at well-off Royal for failing to practice what she preaches, hinting at the socialist's luxurious way of life, contradicting the very basis of socialism.
They published an online list of the real estate empire of Royal and her husband Francois Holland with a combined photo for both of them captioned "We Don't Like the Rich," a famous slogan used recently by Holland.
But Royal's followers hit back, ridiculing singer Joni Holiday — who is known for his right-wing opinions — for dodging state taxes.
Blogs have further jumped to the race with dozens launched by supporters of both camps to blemish the rival candidate and urge swing voters to vote for their favorite.
