France

Socialists to vote one last time for leader

Article published on the 2008-11-21 Latest update 2008-11-21 09:18 TU

Martine Aubry, Ségolène Royal
(Photos: Reuters)

The battle to lead France's Socialist Party will continue on Friday as the party members vote one last time to decide between the two remaining candidates, former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal and Mayor of Lille Martine Aubry.

Thursday's first round vote left Royal in front with just over 42 per cent while Aubry took almost 35 per cent. The remaining candidate Benoît Hamon was eliminated with 22.8 per cent and, like Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë before him, is reduced to spectator status for the final round.

Both Hamon and Delanoë have called on their supporters to vote for Aubry in Friday's final run-off that Hamon described as a choice that would determine not if, but how, the party would change.

In the Royal camp, Patrick Mennucci said that Aubry's 35 per cent was far less than would have been expected if all of Delanoë's supporters had transferred their vote to Aubry as ordered.

Hamon meanwhile said on Thursday that the numbers were in Aubry's favour but that the final vote "looked tight".

The race dominated the editorials of the French press on Friday with left-leaning Libération applauding the fact that France's main opposition party will be led by a woman, whichever candiate now wins. "It's not the Obama revolution. But it's a sign," it commented. 

Right-wing Le Figaro says that whatever happens on Friday the party will be divided into two camps and that it remains to be seen if peace can be made between the factions.

The successor to current party head François Hollande will be chosen as the members return to the ballots between 5 pm and 10 pm on Friday evening.