Appeals for calm as Aubry elected

THE NEW Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry has appealed for calm and warned the UMP government that they were preparing to return to opposition.

A recount by a party commission, later ratified by the Socialist leadership, placed Aubry ahead of rival Ségolène Royal by 102 votes.

While supporters of Royal are still appealing for recounts and threatening legal action, the candidate herself has called for unity.

In her first speech to the party, Aubry said her first task would be to meet Royal to discuss the future of the party.

The election of Aubry, who as labour minister introduced the 35-hour working week to France, marks a victory of the traditional left wing over Royal supporters who favoured an alliance with centre party MPs.

Royal supporters demanded a recount and made accusations of fraud and miscounts when she lost the first vote by 42 ballots.

Supporters weighed in behind both women, with some threatening legal action and protests.

Aubry said the job of leading the party, which has been effectively leaderless in opposition since the election of Nicolas Sarkozy, was “a heavy responsibility”.

The party holds a minority in parliament but controls 21 of France's 22 regional councils and also key cities such as Paris, Lyon and Toulouse.

Photo: Guillaume Baptiste