Royal leadership bid on hold

Ségolène Royal has temporarily pulled out of the race to lead the opposition Socialist Party, although she still hopes to mount a second bid for the French presidency in 2012.

Polls put Royal behind Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë and Martine Aubry – even though the latter has yet to officially announce her intention to run.

They are vying to succeed François Hollande – the former partner of Royal – as the secretary of the Socialist Party.

Royal, 54, who lost to Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's presidential election, has repeatedly said she hopes to run again in 2012.

Many in the party oppose a bid by Royal on the grounds the jobs of party secretary and presidential candidate should be kept separate.

Hollande himself has been holding meetings with Delanoë who is current favourite to win the position.

Party activists will vote on the successor at a special conference on November 6.

Photo:Marie-Lan Nguyen