Chaos and sniping at PS conference

The outgoing leader of the Socialist Party told members its ‘ungovernability’ was its greatest threat.

François Hollande told the last day of the party’s summer conference that infighting was hindering the party’s ability to operate in opposition.

Party heavyweight and ex-prime minister Laurent Fabius told reporters outside the La Rochelle conference that sniping between politicians was leading to dismay among socialist activists and disdain among the public.

"The Socialist Party is divided, often voiceless," he said: “Activists are in despair, disorientated, often angry."

The Socialists have lost the last three presidential elections and are in a minority in the national assembly.

In November they will reconvene for a special meeting to choose a new leader.

So far only two candidates have officially announced their intentions to stand; former presidential candidate and ex-partner of Hollande, Ségolène Royal and Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë

Delanoë is favourite to win according to the latest opinion poll. Twenty-seven percent of voters questioned said they would plump for him, with 18 percent preferring Royal.

Royal told the conference: “France needs us, is waiting for us, is looking for us. Love each other or disappear."

Le Monde newspaper said last week in an editorial that "all the Socialist party bosses, and its activists even more so, dream of a united party, modern and on the offensive."

It said the reality wass that "the Socialists are more than ever before bogged down in ego and personality battles... as they struggle without a leader."

Photos: Both by Marie-Lan Nguyen