Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111957211700.htm

International

Two women face off to head French Socialist Party

Vaiju Naravane

Paris: The French Socialist Party, the main opposition grouping in France, emerged more divided than ever after a weekend of debate and discussion that failed to yield its next leader.

The party will vote next Thursday to choose a new general secretary. It will be a fight between two women — Segolene Royal and Martine Aubry. Ms. Royal, the frontrunner, was booed and heckled during her speech.

Her candidature has been challenged by Ms. Aubry, Mayor of the industrial city of Lille. She represents the leftist arm of the party.

Ms. Royal has called for an alliance with the centrist party of Francois Bayrou, who was the “third man” in the French presidential race. Ms. Aubry is considered to be the brains behind France’s 39-hour work week. Under Ms. Aubry, the French Socialist Party would opt for a more defined leftist stance.

Ms. Royal has called for an alliance of all the forces who would be able to oppose Nicolas Sarkozy, including the controversial Mr. Bayrou, whose failure to reach an agreement with Ms. Royal cost her the presidential election. The big loser in this game has been Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who has now thrown his weight behind Ms. Aubry.

A third candidate, Benoit Hamon, is likely to support Ms. Aubry in case either of the candidates fails to get the required 50 per cent of the vote.