French President Nicolas Sarkozy says a strong national identity and tight borders are important, hoping to attract far-right voters ahead of the second round of presidential elections.

Sarkozy is in pursuit of supporters of anti-immigration candidate Marine Le Pen. Le Pen's National Front won almost 18 percent of the popular vote in last Sunday's first round elections. Sarkozy will need much of this vote to win against his Socialist opponent Francois Hollande.

Also on Sunday, Hollande called on supporters to put patriotism before nationalism, as he addressed a rally in Paris. Polls predict Sarkozy will lose the May 6th runoff to Hollande, who promises government-funded jobs programmes and higher taxes on the rich --- pledges that resonate with a recession-weary electorate.

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