Sarkozy in electoral offensive

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to suspend his country's membership of the Schengen zone if he is re-elected next month.

Sarkozy said he would temporarily pull France out of the treaty, which provides for border-free travel between signatory countries, if the European Union as a whole failed to make significant progress on combating illegal immigration within a year's time.

"It's urgent, because we can not accept being subjected to the shortcomings of Europe's external borders," Sarkozy told thousands of supporters at a campaign rally just outside of Paris. He said tightening up the external borders was the "only way to avoid the implosion of Europe."

The president also said that if elected to a second term, he would push the EU to adopt a "buy European act," along the lines of the US Buy American Act, which would require governments to favor products produced in Europe when making acquisitions.

"I want a Europe that protects its citizens. I no longer want this savage competition. I say no to a Europe that opens up its markets when others don't," Sarkozy said, in an apparent reference to the US legislation.

The two campaign pledges appeared to be aimed at winning over conservative voters that might be persuaded to support Marine Le Pen of the far right National Front in the first round of voting on April 22.

Sarkozy trailing Hollande

Sarkozy of the conservative party UMP has an uphill battle on his hands as he bids for a second term, with the Socialist candidate, Francois Hollande holding a double-digit lead in the latest opinion polls.

Immigration in particular is a hot-button issue in many parts of Europe. On Wednesday, seven EU countries, including France and Germany, called for an action plan to be drawn up, to stem what they see as a tide of illegal migration into the 27-member bloc.

pfd/ipj (AP, Reuters, dpa)