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France Socialists 'choose Royal' France Socialists vote for Royal
(about 1 hour later)
Segolene Royal appears likely to win an outright victory and become France's Socialist presidential candidate, early indications suggest. Segolene Royal will be the French Socialists presidential candidate at elections next year, after a clear victory over two rivals in a vote.
Exit polls for French TV pointed to a victory for the 53-year-old, who hopes to become France's first woman leader. The 53-year-old hopes to become France's first woman leader.
A Socialist party official also told the AFP news agency that voters had made "a clear choice". She beat former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and ex-Prime Minister Laurent Fabius without needing a second round of voting.
Ms Royal faced former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and ex-Prime Minister Laurent Fabius in the poll. Ms Royal spoke of the "honour... and momentum I've received to be chosen this way".
The three contenders made bitter attacks on each other during the campaign.The three contenders made bitter attacks on each other during the campaign.
Failure to achieve an overall majority of votes that would force a second round of voting next week. If no candidate had achieved an overall majority of votes, there would have been a second round next week.
Party officials said there had been a high turnout among the 219,000 eligible voters. "The results show rather clearly the fact that there will only be one round, and we can say that Segolene Royal is already the candidate for the Socialist Party," said party official Stephane Le Foll.
Final results are due between 0300 and 0400 GMT.
'Chauvinistic comments''Chauvinistic comments'
Segolene Royal's rivals tried to destabilise her campaign during the final days on the election trail.Segolene Royal's rivals tried to destabilise her campaign during the final days on the election trail.
SOCIALIST VOTE 1500-2100 GMT voting finished; first results after midnight4,000 polling stations set up in party offices, businesses or cafes219,000 registered party members voting Source: AP Profiles: Socialist rivals Profiles: Socialist rivals
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.
Ms Royal responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny.Ms Royal responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny.
Mr Strauss-Kahn attacked her policies as incoherent.Mr Strauss-Kahn attacked her policies as incoherent.
Meanwhile, Mr Fabius has said the destiny of the political left is at stake. Meanwhile, Mr Fabius said the destiny of the political left is at stake.
The last opinion polls before Thursday's vote gave Segolene Royal a significant lead over her rivals.