An "Anyone But Ségolène" movement gathered steam at France's Socialist party congress yesterday as rivals strove to prevent Ségolène Royal, the party's former presidential candidate, from taking control. Royal, 55, who lost to Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's election, is standing for the post of party secretary-general, which is being vacated after 11 years by François Hollande, her former lover. Yet even Hollande, who has four children with Royal, has sided with one of her rivals in the increasingly acrimonious leadership contest. The debates are taking place this weekend in Reims, the Champagne capital, but there is nothing to celebrate. The socialists have been so busy arguing among themselves that they have lost all credibility against Sarkozy. He has added insult to injury by appointing some of their most charismatic figures to cabinet posts.
An "Anyone But Ségolène" movement gathered steam at France's Socialist party congress yesterday as rivals strove to prevent Ségolène Royal, the party's former presidential candidate, from taking control.
Royal, 55, who lost to Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's election, is standing for the post of party secretary-general, which is being vacated after 11 years by François Hollande, her former lover.
Yet even Hollande, who has four children with Royal, has sided with one of her rivals in the increasingly acrimonious leadership contest.
The debates are taking place this weekend in Reims, the Champagne capital, but there is nothing to celebrate. The socialists have been so busy arguing among themselves that they have lost all credibility against Sarkozy. He has added insult to injury by appointing some of their most charismatic figures to cabinet posts.
The French Socialist Party was plunged into chaos after their annual congress failed to produce either a leader or policy platform. The French Socialist Party was plunged into chaos after their annual congress failed to produce either a leader or policy platform. Segolene Royal, runner-up to Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's presidential election, had hoped to emerge as secretary general following the three day event in Reims, the champagne capital. It was seen as a last chance for the Socialists to restore their credibility under a new leader before the 2012 presidential vote. But the main opposition party failed to unite at a time when Mr Sarkozy's approval ratings have improved with his high-profile presidency of the European Union. Instead there were dire warnings of the end of French socialism, with party members now having to vote on a compromise candidate - and set of policies - on Thursday. Ms Royal will be up against Martine Aubry, the architect of the woefully discredited 35 hour working week, and the ultra left wing Euro MP Benoît Hamon.
The French Socialist Party was plunged into chaos after their annual congress failed to produce either a leader or policy platform.
Segolene Royal, runner-up to Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's presidential election, had hoped to emerge as secretary general following the three day event in Reims, the champagne capital.
It was seen as a last chance for the Socialists to restore their credibility under a new leader before the 2012 presidential vote.
But the main opposition party failed to unite at a time when Mr Sarkozy's approval ratings have improved with his high-profile presidency of the European Union.
Instead there were dire warnings of the end of French socialism, with party members now having to vote on a compromise candidate - and set of policies - on Thursday.
Ms Royal will be up against Martine Aubry, the architect of the woefully discredited 35 hour working week, and the ultra left wing Euro MP Benoît Hamon.
'the end of French socialist' - they wish
'the woefully discredited 35-hour week' - only in their incessant propaganda about it, not in reality (they contributed to the biggest ever surge in job creation in France, and are strongly supported by most of those who benefit from the regime)
'ultra left wing Hamon' - like Blair is ultra right wing.
blah. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Which is a lot of people, many of whom should be voting left, butno longer do, because they got sold out by the PS. Nil aon leigheas ar an ngra ach posadh
how would employees typically react if companies tried to repeal it? Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.
It is a great sign that Delanoe has stepped aside, he didn't seem that passionate and he was being pushed by the old elephants who are the most discredited of all PS.
I think many are against Royal because they know that she has more to prove than to offer.
To me it seems that the Holland/Royal affair has been disastrous for the party and while it is not all Sego's fault it is her duty to step aside at this time and allow the party to build a future for itself.
