French Socialists Choose Hollande as 2012 Presidential Runner

French Socialist lawmaker Francois Hollande was crowned favourite for next year`s presidential election on Sunday. Photo by BGNES

Francois Hollande was selected as the French opposition socialists' presidential runner and will most likely challenge incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's presidential elections.

The 57-year-old former Secretary of the French Socialist defeated Martine Aubry in the second round of the first ever primary elections to be held in France. Hollande scored a large majority with 56% of the votes compared with 44% for his opponent.

"It is with pride and responsibility that I note this evening's result," the winner said after the primary elections, in which some 2.7 million people voted. He said he hoped to fulfil the dreams of "young people who hope for a better life than ours".

"I am a man of unity and I have shown this," he declared, as cited by The Guardian.

Aubry was quick to express her support for her rival, saying that she would "put all her energy and all her force" in order to see him President in seven months. Hollande's former partner, Segolene Royal, who lost the last presidential elections against Sarkozy, also congratulated him.

The last socialist to have been elected French President was Francois Mitterand, who left office 16 years ago.

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