French Socialists undecided on presidential process

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

PARIS, June 23 (Reuters) France's Socialist party, still smarting from defeat in a presidential election last month, today failed to decide on the selection process for its presidential candidate for the 2012 election.

The absence of agreement on clear-cut procedures and a calendar marked a set-back for Segolene Royal, this year's defeated Socialist presidential candidate, who wants the party to choose its representative as early as possible.

Royal signalled yesterday that she would like to run again as the Socialist candidate in 2012 despite opposition from within the party.

At a gathering of senior Socialists, party head Francois Hollande said ''ideological lines'' would be reviewed after the country's municipal elections in 2008 and a presidential candidate would ''probably'' be chosen in 2010.

The Socialists have been divided over whether they should move to the left or to the right since Royal -- who is in favour of opening up more to centrists -- lost the presidential race to conservative Nicolas Sarkozy last month.

As expected, Royal stayed away from the Socialist gathering on Saturday.

Royal has also indicated she would like to lead the Socialists.

She added a personal twist to the leadership battle this week when she announced she had split with her partner of some 30 years, current party leader Hollande.

Hollande, who has had four children with Royal, has said he wants to stay in his post until 2008, and the former couple have exchanged indirect attacks in recent days.

REUTERS RKM BST0055

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