French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy quoted Martin Luther King?s ?I have a dream? speech on Sunday to promise young voters equal opportunities.

The conservative candidate, seeking to woo youngsters put off by his hardline image, cited King?s 1963 speech at a Paris rally in which he hailed France?s ethnic diversity and backed affirmative action to ensure all enjoyed a fair start in life. ?That speech deeply moved the world and that great dream of brotherhood and justice he spoke of changed America,? Sarkozy told some 12,000 young supporters at a Paris rock venue.

?If the dream could change America, why might it not change France? We will manage it if French youth, like American youth, make Martin Luther King?s (dream) their own,? he said. ?As president I want to unite all French people and I will honour all those who have made France great, regardless of the colour of their skin, their politics or social origins.?

Sarkozy?s speech also appeared designed to appeal to the moderate voters he needs to attract if he is to become in May the first immigrant?s son to rule modern France. His call for a ministry for immigration and national identity has reinforced the more strident image he has consciously tried to soften in recent weeks.

The ministry idea has won strong public support. A poll in yesterday?s Le Figaro daily showed him bouncing back from a recent dip to increase his lead over Socialist candidate Segolene Royal. France goes to the polls on April 22 in the first round of voting for a new president. The decisive second ballot will be held two weeks later.

Appearing on television on Sunday night, Sarkozy said he would quit as interior minister before the end of the month and would discuss the date with President Jacques Chirac on Monday. Chirac, who is not seeking a third term, has yet to say who he will support in the election.

Opponents say the interior minister has a problem with young voters, contrasting his problems organising trips to France?s tinderbox suburbs with trouble-free visits by centrist Francois Bayrou, whose rise in the polls has eaten into Sarkozy?s lead.

Sarkozy alienated many young voters with harsh outbursts on law and order, comments many blame for stoking the tensions which erupted into the riots in 2005, the worst in 40 years. Some aides have urged Sarkozy to avoid radicalising young voters and warned tough comments on law-and-order could make them deaf to other elements of his platform.

However, even leftwing lawmakers acknowledge many in the suburbs are receptive to Sarkozy?s ?can-do? style, his pledge to make a break with the past and allow new talents to emerge.