French Socialists jostle for position

The Socialist Party in France is still leading in the opinion polls seven months ahead of the presidential election in 2012. However, who will be the Socialist Party candidate. There are six contenders and there is also the 'damaged' Dominique Strauss-Kahn in the background. The decision was due to be made on the 9 October 2011 in an unprecedented primary election in France.

These features preview and report on the first round of the primaries on the 9 October 2011. See separate record for the preview features and reports of the results of the second round of primaries on the 16 October 2011.

France24, 8.10.11: Socialists get presidential head start with primary poll http://www.france24.com/en/20111007-socialists-presidential-primary-poll-ump-election-sarkozy-france-paris

The Local.fr, 7.10.11: Buoyant French left set to select its champion http://www.thelocal.fr/1414/20111007/

France24, 29.9.11: Socialist presidential hopefuls vow to tackle banks http://www.france24.com/en/20110929-socialist-party-debate-french-presidential-election-primary-royal-kahn-hollande-aubry

ESO: Background information: Presidential hopefuls vie for Socialist Party nomination http://www.europeansources.info/record/with-an-eye-to-2012-sarkozy-party-turns-to-its-base-presidential-hopefuls-vie-for-socialist-party-nomination/

ESO: Background information: French presidential election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2012/

Spiegel Online International, 5.10.11: President Normal May Soon Rule France http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,789903,00.html

BBC News, 9.10.11: French Socialists pick 2012 presidential candidate http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15232383

France24, 9.10.11: One million voters turn out for French Socialist presidential primary http://www.france24.com/en/20111009-ps-socialist-party-france-primaries-presidential-election

Deutsche Welle, 9.10.11: France's Socialists choose Sarkozy's opponent http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15447334,00.html

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