Delanoë to run for Socialist leader

The Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë has confirmed he will run for the leadership of the Socialist Party.

The only other official candidate is former presidential hopeful Ségolène Royal, the ex-partner of the current leader François Hollande.

A recent public opinion poll placed the mayor ahead of Royal as the leadership favourite.

In third place, although yet to announce her candidature was Martine Aubry, the daughter of former prime minister Jacques Delors.

"I will accept of course the first duty of the activist if the Socialists give it to me," Delanoë told Le Monde newspaper.

While the Socialist Party significantly improved its standing at local elections last year, it has been plagued by infighting and a lack of direction.

The party will elect a new leader at its conference in November.

A survey over the summer found that 52% of those questioned believed the Socialist Party was not fulfilling its role in opposition while 55% said they had no contact with the troubles of the French.

66% said they did not believe the PS had any decent leaders.

Photo:Marie-lan Nguyen