Banned from voting

The right of foreigners to vote is top of the agenda for the French newspapers today - as the Senate votes on a measure to allow them to vote in local elections. There's also a new candidate in the presidential elections - the centrist François Bayrou.

Liberation says it's finally time foreigners got the right to vote in local elections - while Le Monde accuses the Socialists of playing political football with the issue for decades.

Le Figaro says the Senate vote is a waste of time, they don't want to see it pass - and le Parisien explains why Nicolas Sarkozy has done so many U-turns on this question.

France Soir devotes its front page to newly announced presidential candidate François Bayrou - who's making a pitch for the centre of politics.

Le Monde meanwhile reports industry minister Eric Besson spends all day on Twitter - and is planning to quit politics for football.

By Elena CASAS