Sarkozy to quit politics if he loses election

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will abandon his political career if he fails to win a second mandate as president in the upcoming elections.

France will hold the first round of the presidential polls on April 22 and the second round run-off on May 6.

In an interview with local radio RMC, the incumbent president said he would try his best to win voters' confidence, to protect the French people and to lead them in building a strong France.

"But if that is not your choice, I will bow out," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Sarkozy has proposed numerous reforms ranging from employment to tax during his public appearances since he declared his candidature in February.

He has also decided to go all out for the populist, conservative voter, with a harsh tone on immigrants and the ritual killing associated with halal meat products, Xinhua said.

However, with six weeks to go before the first round of vote, Sarkozy's key rival, Socialist Party candidate Francois Hollande is projected to seize a strong lead over Sarkozy in the presidential election.

A survey by pollster BVA for the daily Le Parisien said Hollande remained the clear favourite with 33 percent vote in the first round.

The poll put Hollande at 59 percent in the second round, beating Sarkozy who would garner 41 percent of votes.