French president takes refuge from demonstrators, including Basque nationalists, on campaign trail in Bayonne
Hundreds of angry protesters forced President Nicolas Sarkozy to take refuge in a cafe as he campaigned in France's Basque country.
Riot police surrounded the Bar du Palais, in Bayonne, where he tried to get away from the protesters, some of them Basque nationalists. Sarkozy denounced "the violence of a minority and their unacceptable behaviour". He remained in the cafe for about an hour, meeting residents of Bayonne.
"Here, we are in France, on the territory of the French republic, and the president of the republic will go everywhere," Sarkozy said. "And if that doesn't please a minority of troublemakers, too bad for them."
The historic, narrow streets of Bayonne were packed with supporters and protesters as they followed Sarkozy during his visit. Tension mounted as Basque separatists threw pieces of paper at him. They were joined by others holding portraits of the rival Socialist candidate, François Hollande.
"If this is the concept of democracy, that the socialists associate with Basque separatists, if this is it, the country they have in mind, it doesn't make you want to get there," Sarkozy said.
He left the cafe escorted by police and protected by an umbrella.
The latest polls show Sarkozy narrowing the gap in the first round of the elections but lagging far behind in the final round. With the president now actively on the campaign trail, the debate has grown increasingly bitter, with harsh denunciations from supporters on both sides.