Personality key hurdle to Sarkozy

He has been the front-runner from day one. But many say that Nicolas Sarkozy's own personality, rather than the strength of his opponents, could ultimately lose him the presidency.

Millions of French are clearly swayed by the dynamism of Sarkozy, 52, the head of the right-wing UMP party, and by his promise to create a more hard working culture and carry out relatively liberal reforms. But his opponents have engaged in a blitzkrieg of criticism over his alleged temper tantrums and controlling streak.

The left-leaning weekly magazine Marianne sold like hot cakes this week with the headline: "The Real Sarkozy". Inside it listed the tough-talking former interior minister's alleged outbursts. It quoted Azouz Begag, the former equal opportunities minister, who publicly fell out with Sarkozy over his handling of riots in 2005.