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France elections: Socialists choose candidate in final vote France votes for Socialist presidential candidate
(about 3 hours later)
France's governing Socialist party is set to choose its candidate for the presidential election in April. Voters have been heading to the polls in France to select the governing Socialist Party's presidential candidate.
Manuel Valls, a former prime minister, and left-wing Benoit Hamon are both contesting the run-off vote on Sunday. Manuel Valls, a former prime minister, and ex-education minister Benoit Hamon are both contesting the run-off.
But outgoing President Francois Hollande, a fellow Socialist, is deeply unpopular and may affect the party's chances in the April election. Mr Hamon is expected to win, but the party is not predicted to perform well in April's general election.
Conservative Francois Fillon, right-wing Marine Le Pen, and centrist Emmanuel Macron lead the polls. The outgoing President Francois Hollande, a fellow Socialist, has a very low approval rating.
Sunday's Socialist primary has seen Mr Hamon, 49, suddenly surge in popularity with a range of liberal proposals, including a proposal for a universal monthly income for all citizens. Conservative Francois Fillon, right-wing Marine Le Pen, and centrist Emmanuel Macron lead the polls for the presidency.
Organisers said more than half a million people had voted by midday, up from around 400,000 in last week's first round.
Anyone can vote in the primary, not just party members.
However, there have been reports of mismanagement, with one reporter from news site Buzzfeed saying she had been allowed to vote four times in this second round. (She said she voided her ballot so as not to affect the outcome.)
Journalists from Le Monde newspaper also claimed they were permitted to vote more than once in the first round.
Mr Hamon, 49, has experienced a surge in popularity from a range of progressive proposals, including a proposal for a universal monthly income for all citizens.
Mr Valls, however, contends that his experience as prime minister between 2014 and 2016, as well as his previous ministerial experience, make him a superior candidate.Mr Valls, however, contends that his experience as prime minister between 2014 and 2016, as well as his previous ministerial experience, make him a superior candidate.
Both emerged from a seven-way primary last weekend to enter the run-off race.Both emerged from a seven-way primary last weekend to enter the run-off race.
But polls suggest neither is likely to retain the presidency for his party.
Mr Hollande, facing extremely low popularity ratings, announced in December that he would not run for re-election.
The presidential race has taken a turn in recent days, with the favourite for the post, Francois Fillon, becoming embroiled in a controversy over payments to his wife for political work - which a French publication claimed there was no evidence she carried out.The presidential race has taken a turn in recent days, with the favourite for the post, Francois Fillon, becoming embroiled in a controversy over payments to his wife for political work - which a French publication claimed there was no evidence she carried out.
Mr Fillon denies the allegations, and said he would drop out of the race if there was enough evidence to launch an investigation.Mr Fillon denies the allegations, and said he would drop out of the race if there was enough evidence to launch an investigation.
The scandal could potentially be a boost for Marine Le Pen, the anti-immigration hardliner who has pledged to put "native" French people first. On Sunday, Mr and Mrs Fillon were side by side at a Paris rally that sought to reinvigorate his candidacy.
"Leave my wife out of the political debate!" he said in his speech, provoking rousing applause from supporters.
Mr Fillon's scandal could potentially be a boost for Marine Le Pen, the anti-immigration hardliner who has pledged to put "native" French people first.
For years, France's established parties have drifted to the centre ground and voter apathy has grown - which may explain the emergence of Mr Hamon as a contender in Sunday's Socialist primary.For years, France's established parties have drifted to the centre ground and voter apathy has grown - which may explain the emergence of Mr Hamon as a contender in Sunday's Socialist primary.
If he wins, the main left-wing party will once again embrace its traditional positions on workers' rights, redistribution, civil liberties and the environment.If he wins, the main left-wing party will once again embrace its traditional positions on workers' rights, redistribution, civil liberties and the environment.
That would likely affect the other candidates - potentially diverting centrist votes to liberal former banker Emmanuel Macron, whose growing popularity is starting to worry Marine Le Pen's party, the National Front.That would likely affect the other candidates - potentially diverting centrist votes to liberal former banker Emmanuel Macron, whose growing popularity is starting to worry Marine Le Pen's party, the National Front.
But while Sunday's vote will choose a candidate for the Socialists, the true presidential election does not take place until 23 April.