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French Socialists in run-off vote French Socialists in run-off vote
(about 8 hours later)
France's opposition Socialists face a run-off vote for a new leader, after a first ballot failed to give a winner. 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.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.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.The leadership issue is being decided by 233,000 party members.
The voting comes after last weekend's party congress - that was meant to back a single candidate - ended in disarray.The voting comes after last weekend's party congress - that was meant to back a single candidate - ended in disarray.
In the first round, Ms Royal gained 42.5% of the vote, Ms Aubry 34.7% and Mr Hamon 22.8%.In the first round, Ms Royal gained 42.5% of the vote, Ms Aubry 34.7% and Mr Hamon 22.8%.
After the count, Mr Hamon - who is seen by some as being too far-left - urged those who had backed him to vote for Ms Aubry in the second round, the AFP news agency reports. After the count, Mr Hamon - who is seen by some as being too far-left - urged those who had backed him to vote for Ms Aubry in the second round.
"For our party to remain firmly anchored to the left, I ask those who supported me to vote massively for Aubry," he said.
The party has been beset by infighting since France's last Socialist President Francois Mitterrand stepped down in 1995.The party has been beset by infighting since France's last Socialist President Francois Mitterrand stepped down in 1995.
Tough jobTough job
The candidates are vying to replace outgoing chief Francois Hollande.The candidates are vying to replace outgoing chief Francois Hollande.
At their annual congress in Reims at the weekend, top party members failed to reach consensus on a new leader. The Socialist Party is gravely ill Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe Party seeks leader, and leadershipProfile: Segolene RoyalProfile: Martine AubryAt their annual congress in Reims at the weekend, top party members failed to reach consensus on a new leader. The Socialist Party is gravely ill Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe Party seeks leader, and leadershipProfile: Segolene RoyalProfile: Martine Aubry
Ms Royal - who had won a pre-convention ballot with 29% of members' votes - accused her rivals of clinging to "outdated" ways after they refused to rally behind her leadership bid.Ms Royal - who had won a pre-convention ballot with 29% of members' votes - accused her rivals of clinging to "outdated" ways after they refused to rally behind her leadership bid.
One of the candidates, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, even pulled out of the race to "avoid creating further confusion".One of the candidates, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, even pulled out of the race to "avoid creating further confusion".
"The Socialist Party is gravely ill," Mr Delanoe said. He has urged party members to back Ms Aubry. "The Socialist Party is gravely ill," Mr Delanoe said. He has urged party members to back Ms Aubry, as has Mr Hollande.
'Ungovernable'
Ms Royal, defeated by Mr Sarkozy in last year's presidential elections, has been accused of seeking to transform the party into her own personal electoral machine, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.Ms Royal, defeated by Mr Sarkozy in last year's presidential elections, has been accused of seeking to transform the party into her own personal electoral machine, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.
Ms Aubry, the architect of France's 35-hour week, is seen by many as being too old-fashioned, although she has the backing of Mr Delanoe, our correspondent says. Supporters hope she can reform the party and bring it towards the centre, but critics, especially among the party's old guard, accuse her of being politically inconsistent.
France's media has said the Socialists showed themselves at the Reims convention to be "ungovernable". Ms Royal accused the grandees of "teaming up to block the renewal of the party" and urged them to "let the grassroots members decide".
Ms Aubry, the architect of France's 35-hour week and daughter of former European Commission President Jacques Delors, is seen by some younger members as being too old-fashioned, our correspondent says.
After Thursday's vote she said she was committed to "deep changes" in the party, but still wanted to ensure it "defends leftist values."
France's media have said the Socialists showed themselves at the Reims convention to be "ungovernable".
It is clear that whoever becomes the new leader of the opposition will have a tough job uniting party members to build a credible challenge to President Sarkozy's government, our correspondent says.It is clear that whoever becomes the new leader of the opposition will have a tough job uniting party members to build a credible challenge to President Sarkozy's government, our correspondent says.