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French Socialists pick candidate France Socialists 'choose Royal'
(about 1 hour later)
France's opposition Socialists have voted to choose the party's candidate in next year's presidential election. Segolene Royal appears likely to win an outright victory and become France's Socialist presidential candidate, early indications suggest.
The favourite for the nomination, Segolene Royal, will be selected automatically if she wins an overall majority among party members. Exit polls for French TV pointed to a victory for the 53-year-old, who hopes to become France's first woman leader.
Failure to achieve that would force a second round of voting next week. A Socialist party official also told the AFP news agency that voters had made "a clear choice".
Her rivals are former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius. The contenders have made bitter attacks on each other. Ms Royal faced former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and ex-Prime Minister Laurent Fabius in the poll.
All three candidates held final rallies in front of their own supporters on Wednesday night. The three contenders made bitter attacks on each other during the campaign.
Failure to achieve an overall majority of votes that would force a second round of voting next week.
Party officials said there had been a high turnout among the 219,000 eligible voters.
Final results are due between 0300 and 0400 GMT.
'Chauvinistic comments''Chauvinistic comments'
Recent days have seen attempts by supporters of Segolene Royal's rivals to destabilise her campaign. Segolene Royal's rivals tried to destabilise her campaign during the final days on the election trail.
SOCIALIST VOTE 1500-2100 GMT voting takes place; first results after midnight4,000 polling stations set up in party offices, businesses or cafes219,000 registered party members voting Source: AP Profiles: Socialist rivals SOCIALIST VOTE 1500-2100 GMT voting finished; first results after midnight4,000 polling stations set up in party offices, businesses or cafes219,000 registered party members voting Source: AP Profiles: Socialist rivals
Teachers have reacted angrily after a video appeared on the internet featuring a party meeting earlier this year in which she said they should work longer hours in school.Teachers have reacted angrily after a video appeared on the internet featuring a party meeting earlier this year in which she said they should work longer hours in school.
She responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny. Ms Royal responded by highlighting what she described as "chauvinistic comments" made by her rival candidates, something they strongly deny.
Mr Strauss-Kahn has attacked her policies as incoherent. Mr Strauss-Kahn attacked her policies as incoherent.
Meanwhile, Mr Fabius has said the destiny of the political left is at stake.Meanwhile, Mr Fabius has said the destiny of the political left is at stake.
The latest opinion polls still give Segolene Royal a significant lead over her rivals. The last opinion polls before Thursday's vote gave Segolene Royal a significant lead over her rivals.
But the surveys have been carried out among Socialist supporters, not the actual party members who will be voting.
If she fails to win an outright majority, an alliance of her opponents could pose a serious threat in a second round.
Which of the candidates do you support? Who do you think would best represent the Socialists in April's elections? What do you think of the campaign so far? Send us your comments using the form below.
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