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French Socialists pick candidate French Socialists pick candidate
(about 2 hours later)
French Socialists will vote later Thursday to choose who will represent the party next year's election for a new president. French Socialists will vote later on Thursday to choose who will represent the party in next year's election for a new president.
The favourite for the nomination, Segolene Royal, will be selected automatically if she wins an overall majority among party members.The favourite for the nomination, Segolene Royal, will be selected automatically if she wins an overall majority among party members.
Failure to achieve that would force a second round of voting next week.Failure to achieve that would force a second round of voting next week.
All three candidates held final rallies in front of their own supporters on Wednesday night.All three candidates held final rallies in front of their own supporters on Wednesday night.
The final stages of the campaign have been marked by some strong attacks by the rival candidates on each other.The final stages of the campaign have been marked by some strong attacks by the rival candidates on each other.
'Chauvinistic comments''Chauvinistic comments'
Recent days have seen attempts by supporters of Segolene Royal's rivals to destabilise her campaign.Recent days have seen attempts by supporters of Segolene Royal's rivals to destabilise her campaign.
Teachers have reacted angrily after a video appeared on the internet featuring a party meeting earlier this year in which she said they should work longer hours in school.Teachers have reacted angrily after a video appeared on the internet featuring a party meeting earlier this year in which she said they should work longer hours in school.
She responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny.She responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny.
The former Finance Minister, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, has attacked her policies as incoherent.The former Finance Minister, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, has attacked her policies as incoherent.
The other candidate, former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, has said the destiny of the political left is at stake.The other candidate, former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, has said the destiny of the political left is at stake.
The latest opinion polls still give Segolene Royal a significant lead over her rivals.The latest opinion polls still give Segolene Royal a significant lead over her rivals.
But the surveys have been carried out among Socialist supporters, not the actual party members who will be voting.But the surveys have been carried out among Socialist supporters, not the actual party members who will be voting.
If she fails to win an outright majority, an alliance of her opponents could pose a serious threat in a second round.If she fails to win an outright majority, an alliance of her opponents could pose a serious threat in a second round.