This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38710897
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
France election: Hamon and Valls in run-off for Socialist candidacy | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Left-wing ex-Education Minister Benoit Hamon and ex-PM Manuel Valls will contest a run-off to become the Socialist candidate in France's presidential election in April. | |
It was clear the pair would advance from a field of seven after half the votes were counted in Sunday's primary. | |
The run-off will be held next Sunday. | The run-off will be held next Sunday. |
Opinion polls suggest that whoever wins will have little chance of reaching the final round of the presidential election in May. | 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 future | Inside the Socialists' battle for the future |
With half of the votes counted, Mr Hamon, 48, who was sacked by the government of President Francois Hollande, was ahead on 36.1%, with centrist Mr Valls, 54, on 31.2%. | |
Another left-winger, Arnaud Montebourg, was in third place. | Another left-winger, Arnaud Montebourg, was in third place. |
But the extent of the top pair's lead ensured they would not be caught. | |
Mr Valls said the choice in the second round would be "between an assured defeat and possible victory". | Mr Valls said the choice in the second round would be "between an assured defeat and possible victory". |
Mr Hamon said voters had sent "a clear message of hope and revival and a desire to turn a new page in the history of the Left and of France". | Mr Hamon said voters had sent "a clear message of hope and revival and a desire to turn a new page in the history of the Left and of France". |
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says that in the second round Mr Hamon can count on the support of Mr Montebourg and so that should give him a clear advantage. | |
Our correspondent says Mr Hamon represents the angry, radical wing of the Socialist party - the part that totally disowns the legacy of President Hollande - his main idea being a basic minimum income to fight poverty. | |
But, he says, however convincing his primary success, he is hobbled by the Socialist party's deep unpopularity in the country. | |
Mr 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. |
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). | 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). |
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. |