France's Socialist party will today hold a run-off vote for its next leader, as Ségolène Royal and Martine Aubry battle to become the first woman to head the biggest party on the French left.In the initial vote yesterday, first place went to Royal, the former presidential candidate who is promising to modernise the troubled and divided party.Despite a campaign by party heavyweights and members of the old guard, who dismissed Royal as a would-be messianic figure with a Joan of Arc complex, damaged by losing the last presidential election, she took 43% of the vote. But it was not a big enough majority to win outright. Aubry, the mayor of Lille and architect of France's 35-hour week, came second with 34%. The MEP Benoit Hamon took 22% and was knocked out of the next round.
France's Socialist party will today hold a run-off vote for its next leader, as Ségolène Royal and Martine Aubry battle to become the first woman to head the biggest party on the French left.
In the initial vote yesterday, first place went to Royal, the former presidential candidate who is promising to modernise the troubled and divided party.
Despite a campaign by party heavyweights and members of the old guard, who dismissed Royal as a would-be messianic figure with a Joan of Arc complex, damaged by losing the last presidential election, she took 43% of the vote. But it was not a big enough majority to win outright.
Aubry, the mayor of Lille and architect of France's 35-hour week, came second with 34%. The MEP Benoit Hamon took 22% and was knocked out of the next round.
France's opposition Socialists face a run-off vote for a new leader, after a first ballot did not produce a winner. The second vote on Friday, which comes amid bitter party rifts, pits former presidential candidate Segolene Royal against Lille Mayor Martine Aubry. Leftist MEP Benoit Hamon is out of the race after coming third in Thursday's vote. None of the candidates gained the 50% needed to avoid a run-off vote. The leadership issue is being decided by 233,000 party members.
France's opposition Socialists face a run-off vote for a new leader, after a first ballot did not produce a winner.
The second vote on Friday, which comes amid bitter party rifts, pits former presidential candidate Segolene Royal against Lille Mayor Martine Aubry.
Leftist MEP Benoit Hamon is out of the race after coming third in Thursday's vote. None of the candidates gained the 50% needed to avoid a run-off vote.
The leadership issue is being decided by 233,000 party members.
<snark> Could something like this happen in the US? </snark>
