Battle Royal looms for French change (BBC) {next president -- a woman & socialist?}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Clive Myrie
BBC News, Paris

Segolene Royal entered the local sports hall in the town of Melle, western France, to chants of "President Segolene, President Segolene".

Beaming a smile as wide as the Seine, she was delivering a speech following her emphatic victory in the ballot to become the Socialist presidential candidate.

But this was not just a speech for the party faithful who have pinned their hopes on her - she was also making a direct appeal to the people of France.

She said she did not feel any personal glory, but just immense responsibility and a great duty.

Her goal in aiming for the presidency, she said, was to reverse a feeling of decline in France, to bring about "deep changes in a nation beset by malaise".


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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6158882.stm