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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| French Socialists declare winner | French Socialists declare winner |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The French Socialist Party has declared Martine Aubry its new leader - with a greater margin than initially thought. | The French Socialist Party has declared Martine Aubry its new leader - with a greater margin than initially thought. |
| A declaration of the winner was delayed when defeated rival Segolene Royal made accusations of voting irregularities, prompting a party investigation. | A declaration of the winner was delayed when defeated rival Segolene Royal made accusations of voting irregularities, prompting a party investigation. |
| But the party's national council has ratified last week's vote and said the margin increased from 42 votes to 102. | But the party's national council has ratified last week's vote and said the margin increased from 42 votes to 102. |
| The process has left the party deeply divided, with the French media speculating on a possible formal split. | The process has left the party deeply divided, with the French media speculating on a possible formal split. |
| Speaking after being confirmed as leader, Ms Aubry said: "Let us rally, let us unite around a line of the left, but also around an upcoming renewal." | Speaking after being confirmed as leader, Ms Aubry said: "Let us rally, let us unite around a line of the left, but also around an upcoming renewal." |
| Although Ms Aubry claimed victory last week, having won 50.02% in a second ballot of party members to Ms Royal's 49.98%, a commission was established on Monday to examine the accusations of irregularities. | Although Ms Aubry claimed victory last week, having won 50.02% in a second ballot of party members to Ms Royal's 49.98%, a commission was established on Monday to examine the accusations of irregularities. |
| It not only dismissed Ms Royal's claims but also said the number of votes had increased. She had vowed to challenge the result in court. | It not only dismissed Ms Royal's claims but also said the number of votes had increased. She had vowed to challenge the result in court. |
| Ms Royal had also warned she will not accept validation of the poll by the national council, which reportedly has a pro-Aubry majority. | Ms Royal had also warned she will not accept validation of the poll by the national council, which reportedly has a pro-Aubry majority. |
| However, following the council's decision, she too called on the party to "unite and re-group." | However, following the council's decision, she too called on the party to "unite and re-group." |
| First female leader | First female leader |
| Ms Aubry, 58-year-old mayor of Lille and former employment minister, is the first woman to head the French Socialists and is best known as the architect of the 35-hour working week. | Ms Aubry, 58-year-old mayor of Lille and former employment minister, is the first woman to head the French Socialists and is best known as the architect of the 35-hour working week. |
| She takes over from Francois Hollande, Ms Royal's estranged partner and the father of her four children. | She takes over from Francois Hollande, Ms Royal's estranged partner and the father of her four children. |
| The leadership vote was put to 233,000 party members after the party congress - that was meant to back a single candidate - ended in disarray. | The leadership vote was put to 233,000 party members after the party congress - that was meant to back a single candidate - ended in disarray. |
| 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. |
| The UMP party of President Nicolas Sarkozy has revelled over what it calls "the implosion of the Socialist party". | The UMP party of President Nicolas Sarkozy has revelled over what it calls "the implosion of the Socialist party". |
| Correspondent Hugh Schofield in Paris says Ms Aubry's victory is no moment for celebration as the party remains divided after the debilitating battle. |