Bayrou who? The campaign for the French presidential election has created a surprise: a third candidate has appeared. François Bayrou, who was drawing 5% in the polls two months ago, has been running at more than 20% in the past few weeks and as high as 24%, according to the latest poll last week.

He is within the grasp of the favourite Nicolas Sarkozy's 26% and has as good as caught up with the 24% of Ségolène Royal. The two runaway favourites of a few months ago are seriously threatened.