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France election: Socialists vote for presidential nominee France election: Socialists vote for presidential nominee
(about 9 hours later)
Socialist voters in France are casting ballots in a nationwide presidential primary, to decide on their nominee for the election in April. Socialist voters in France have cast ballots in a nationwide presidential primary to decide on their nominee for the election in April.
The candidates, from the Socialist Party and its allies, will be narrowed down to two in this first round of voting. Partial results suggest left-wing ex-Education Minister Benoit Hamon and ex-PM Manuel Valls will advance from the seven candidates to a second round.
The pair with the most votes will advance to a run-off on 29 January. The run-off will be held next Sunday.
Six men and one woman are taking part, including former Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Opinion polls suggest that whoever wins will have little chance of reaching the final round of the presidential election in May.
Inside the Socialists' battle for the futureInside the Socialists' battle for the future
Mr Valls occupies the centre ground and is seen as a leading contender, but he faces stiff competition from former Education Minister Benoit Hamon, and ex-Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg. With a little more than a third of votes counted. Mr Hamon, 48, who was sacked by the government of President Francois Hollande, was ahead on 35.2%, with centrist Mr Valls on 31%.
President Francois Hollande, whose approval rating has set a new low for the office, decided not to seek re-election. Mr Hollande, whose approval rating has set a new low for the office, decided not to seek re-election.
The Socialists' choice of nominee may also determine the future of popular independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, a charismatic ex-banker who appeals to the same moderate voters as Mr Valls.The Socialists' choice of nominee may also determine the future of popular independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, a charismatic ex-banker who appeals to the same moderate voters as Mr Valls.
Opinion polls suggest that whoever wins the left-wing nomination will have little chance of reaching the final round of the presidential election in May. The final round in May is expected to become a battle between the conservative former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and Marine Le Pen - leader of the far-right National Front (FN).
It is expected to become a battle between the conservative former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and Marine Le Pen - leader of the far-right National Front (FN).
Read more on France's main presidential candidates:Read more on France's main presidential candidates:
Mr Fillon is widely expected to emerge as the winner. His proposals include cutting business taxes, relaxing labour laws, and scrapping France's 35-hour working week in an attempt to boost growth.Mr Fillon is widely expected to emerge as the winner. His proposals include cutting business taxes, relaxing labour laws, and scrapping France's 35-hour working week in an attempt to boost growth.
He would also cut half a million public sector jobs as part of a drive to shrink the state sector.He would also cut half a million public sector jobs as part of a drive to shrink the state sector.