French Socialist Party presidential primary, 2011

Socialist Party presidential primary, 2011
France
9 and 16 October 2011
 
Nominee François Hollande Martine Aubry
Party PS PS
Popular vote 1,607,268 1,233,899
Percentage 56.57% 43.43%
Previous Socialist nominee

Ségolène Royal

 Socialist nominee

François Hollande

The 2011 French Socialist Party presidential primary was the first open primary (primaires citoyennes) of the French Socialist Party and Radical Party of the Left for selecting their candidate for the 2012 presidential election. The filing deadline for primary nomination papers was fixed at 13 July 2011 and six candidates competed in the first round of the vote. On election day, 9 October 2011, no candidate won 50 percent of the vote, and the two candidates with the most votes contested a runoff election on 16 October 2011: François Hollande won the primary, defeating Martine Aubry.[1]

Background

After the Socialist Party presidential primary of 1995 and the Socialist Party presidential primary of 2006 restricted to active members of the French Socialist Party, the principle of a primary open to all supporters of the Left for the 2012 race for the presidency was approved by the members of the Socialist Party in October 2009.

The left-leaning think tank Terra Nova proposed the idea of an open primary for the Socialist Party in 2008,[2] although the idea had also been pursued in the previous election cycle by Roger-Gérard Schwartzenberg of the Radical Party of the Left (PRG), who wrote a letter to the editor on 14 September 2004 for the newspaper Le Monde. Schwartzenberg later introduced a bill on 28 February 2006[3] in the National Assembly (lower chamber) which would have outlined rules for open partisan primaries in French presidential elections.

Involvement of Dominique Strauss-Kahn

At the beginning of May 2011, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, at that time managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was the opinion polls' clear favorite to become the Socialist Party candidate for the 2012 French presidential election, as well as for winning the presidency itself.[4][5] There was controversy over the so-called Porschegate affair when he was pictured stepping into a €100,000 Porsche car, giving rise to criticism of his affluent lifestyle and to accusations of "champagne socialism". Nevertheless, it seemed certain that he would return to France and bid for the presidency in 2012.[6]

However, on 14 May 2011, Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York on charges of the sexual assault and attempted rape of a hotel room attendant. He was obliged to resign his IMF post and it was accepted at the time that he could not be expected to take any part in the Socialist Party primary.[7]

Nevertheless, on 1 July 2011, there came a marked sea-change in Strauss-Kahn's fortunes when he was released on his own recognizance from house-arrest and bail at a court-hearing requested by the prosecution.[8] This followed a letter sent by the New York District Attorney to Strauss-Kahn's defence lawyers disclosing information about the room attendant which appeared to call into question her credibility.[9]

Strauss-Kahn's release led to immediate speculation of an eventual return to politics, perhaps even participation in the primary.[10][11] The Paris politician and advocate of gender equality Michèle Sabban asked that the primary be suspended to discuss the possibility of Strauss-Kahn's participation.[12]

At 13 July 2011, the closing date for nominations, Strauss-Kahn had not declared his candidacy.[13]

The charges against Strauss-Kahn were dismissed on 23 August 2011. The prevailing view in the media was that he nevertheless could not make an immediate return to politics and his chances of being nominated as the 2012 Socialist candidate were effectively dead.[14] An opinion poll conducted by CSA on 23/24 August showed that 80% of the French people (77% among supporters of the Left) did not want Strauss-Kahn to contest the Socialist candidacy, while a majority further did not want him to play any part in the forthcoming presidential election or to participate in any eventual Socialist government.[15][16]

On 18 September 2011, in a televised interview, Strauss-Kahn confirmed he would not be a candidate and would not play any role in the Socialist primaries.[17]

Voting procedures

Calendar

Nominations for the candidacy were opened on 28 June 2011 and closed on 13 July 2011, with first round election to take place on 9 October 2011 and potential second round election on 16 October 2011 (respectively 8 October 2011 and 15 October 2011 for French territories in the Americas and the Eastern Pacific).

Conditions

Unlike previous Socialist Party primaries, this was the first primary to be open to the general public. In order to participate to the open primary, voters had to meet the following conditions:

Candidates

The following candidates participated in the open primary:[19]

Name, age Details and notes
Martine Aubry (66)
(campaign)

In 2010 the principal contenders, Martine Aubry, Laurent Fabius and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, agreed between themselves the so-called "Marrakech pact" (pacte de Marrakech) whereby each undertook eventually to give way to the candidate best placed in the opinion polls, which at that time was Strauss-Kahn. The final candidate would be announced a few days before the deadline for nominations, towards the end of June 2011.[20][21]

On 3 May 2011, Le Nouvel Observateur reported that Aubry had told her closest supporters she would not be putting her name forward and would support Strauss-Kahn, the clear favorite in the opinions polls.[22] Aubry denied the story, visibly upset, saying that France expected something different.[23] Several days later, Stauss-Kahn's arrest on charges of sexual assault and attempted rape revived interest in her candidacy. On 22 May Aubry said she would accept her responsibilities when the time came, without nevertheless putting her name forward at the same time.[24]

Aubry officially declared her candidacy on 28 June, the day nominations opened.[25]

Jean-Michel Baylet
(69)

Jean-Michel Baylet officially declared his candidacy on 6 July 2011.[41]

François Hollande (62)

François Hollande officially declared his candidacy on 31 March 2011 following his re-election as President of the General Council of Corrèze.[43]

During the pre-primary phase of the campaign, Hollande appeared to be the main challenger to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the opinion polls' favorite. He said he wanted to be an "ordinary president" (président normal) and made several trips to the provinces.[44] Hollande's ratings in the opinions polls were continuing to grow when Stauss-Kahn was arrested on charges of sexual assault and attempted rape.[45] Once considered the favorite, Hollande faced a challenge from Martine Aubry's rise in the opinion polls and over criticisms of his record as a former leader of the party and his lack of ministerial experience.[46]

Arnaud Montebourg (54)

Arnaud Montebourg, who as party secretary responsible for renewal set up the 2011 open primary,[60] officially declared his candidacy on 20 November 2010.[61]

Montebourg described his candidacy as a "program for transformation" and advocated the establishment of a Sixth Republic.[62] Announcing his candidacy, he said: "Faced with the wasteland that our political system has become, we must have the courage to build a new democracy that will help us achieve the change we seek. That is what I propose we should build together."[63] Questioned on whether he would continue if Dominique Strauss-Kahn entered the race, he said he was not putting himself up against other candidates but running as a bearer of fresh ideas, adding enigmatically that if the end goal was victory, then he was a winning candidate.[64]

Ségolène Royal (63)

On 29 November 2010, Ségolène Royal confided to La Nouvelle République that she would be a candidate. She said: "I've thought about it a long time and taken lots of advice. The time has come now to say clearly and simply that my answer is 'yes'. I know from experience that it takes more than just a few months to get together and prepare. Who can fail to see that the Right are already campaigning? At any rate they're not trying to hide it." Her statement came as a surprise to most observers because Martine Aubry had suggested just a few days before that she had reached an agreement with Royal, extending Aubry's already existing pact with Dominique Strauss-Kahn, along the lines proposed by Royal herself some six months earlier.[66] However, Royal denied there had ever been a pact between them.[67]

On 26 June 2011, two days before the opening date for nominations, Royal officially announced her candidacy during a meeting at Arçais in Poitou-Charentes.[68]

She was selected in 2006 as party candidate for the 2007 French presidential election. She won the primary by a large margin, gaining 61% of the votes cast, running against Strauss-Kahn and Laurent Fabius. She later lost the presidential election to conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy on 6 May 2007, obtaining 47% of the vote in the runoff.

Manuel Valls (54)

Manuel Valls was amongst the first to announce his candidacy. On 14 June 2009, he said: "If it turns out that there isn't a better socialist out there than me to preside over the renewal of the party – and so far I don't see one – then I'll do it myself ... Obviously, in that case I'll be a candidate to represent the socialists and the Left in the presidential election."[78] He confirmed his remarks on 9 April 2010 saying: "In expressing my desire to run for the 2012 presidential election, I hope to create conditions for a new deal for our nation."[79] On 2 January 2011 he said he believed that if the Left returned to power in 2012, it should do away with the 35-hour week to allow the French to work harder.[80]

Valls supported Dominique Strauss-Kahn until Strauss Kahn's arrest on charges of sexual assault and attempted rape, following which he formally announced his candidacy on 7 June 2011.[81]

Campaign

First round

The six candidates participated in three televised debates on 15 September, 28 September and 5 October 2011.

In the first round election day, around 2,700,000 voters cast their ballots: Hollande won 39 percent of the vote, followed by Aubry with 30 percent and Montebourg at 17 percent. Former presidential candidate Royal came in fourth place with 7 percent of the vote.[1]

Second round

On 9 October 2011, after the first results of the first round, Manuel Valls called his voters to cast their ballots in favor of François Hollande; on 10 and 12 October 2011, Jean-Michel Baylet and Ségolène Royal respectively announced they would support François Hollande. On 14 October 2011, Arnaud Montebourg did not instruct his voters how to vote, although he explained he would personally cast his ballot for Hollande.[83]

François Hollande and Martine Aubry contested a runoff election on 16 October 2011, after a televised debate held on 12 October 2011. Almost 2,900,000 voters participated to the second round: François Hollande won the primary with around 57 percent of the vote, becoming the official candidate of the Socialist Party and its allies for the 2012 presidential election.[84]

Results

 Summary of the 8–9 and 15–16 October 2011 French Socialist Party presidential primary
Candidates Parties 1st round 2nd round
Votes % Votes %
François Hollande Socialist Party PS 1,038,207 39.17% 1,607,268 56.57%
Martine Aubry Socialist Party PS 806,189 30.42% 1,233,899 43.43%
Arnaud Montebourg Socialist Party PS 455,609 17.19%
Ségolène Royal Socialist Party PS 184,096 6.95%
Manuel Valls Socialist Party PS 149,103 5.63%
Jean-Michel Baylet Radical Party of the Left PRG 17,055 0.64%
Total 2,650,259 100% 2,860,157 100%
Valid votes 2,650,259 99.59% 2,860,157 99.34%
Spoilt and null votes 11,025 0.41% 18,990 0.66%
Total 2,661,284 100% 2,879,147 100%
Table of results ordered by number of votes received in first round, complete results on resultats.lesprimairescitoyennes.fr.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Diffley, Angela (10 October 2011). "Hollande or Aubry will take on Sarkozy in presidentials". Radio France Internationale. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/propositions/pion2915.asp
  4. ↑ Maitre, Marie (8 May 2011). "France's Sarkozy may not make 2012 runoff". Euronews. Reuters. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  5. ↑ Milne, Seumas (24 March 2011). "Dominique Strauss-Kahn – is this the man to defeat Sarkozy?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Chrisafis, Angelique (9 May 2011). "Porschegate leaves Sarkozy rival with the headache of champagne socialism". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "No he Kahn't". The Economist. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  8. ↑ Eligon, John (1 July 2011). "Strauss-Kahn Is Released as Case Teeters". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "Letter From District Attorney to Defense in Strauss-Kahn Case". New York Times. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  10. ↑ Cowell, Alan (1 July 2011). "News of Turnaround in Dominique Strauss-Kahn Case Stuns France". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  11. ↑ "Confusion chez les socialistes au sujet de la primaire". Le Monde (in French). 2 July 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "Affaire DSK: Michèle Sabban demande la suspension de la primaire PS". Le Point (in French). 1 July 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  13. ↑ "French Socialist primaries – possible candidates". BBC News. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  14. ↑ Chrisafis, Angelique (26 August 2011). "French Socialists fear the return of Dominique Strauss-Kahn". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  15. ↑ Flynn, Daniel (25 August 2011). "French do not want Strauss-Kahn back in politics – poll". Reuters. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  16. ↑ Bon, Gerard (26 August 2011). "Les Français contre un retour politique de Strauss-Kahn, dit CSA". Le Point (in French). Reuters. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  17. ↑ "Dominique Strauss-Kahn rues New York hotel maid liaison". BBC News. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  18. ↑ "Charte d'engagement de reconnaissance dans les valeurs de la gauche" (in French). lesprimairescitoyennes.fr/.
  19. ↑ Primaire PS: la liste des 6 candidats validée
  20. ↑ "2012: Aubry maintient le pacte". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French). 24 November 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  21. ↑ Bazin, François (31 May 2011). "Quand DSK appelle Aubry, Fabius...". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  22. ↑ "Martine Aubry n'est pas candidate à la primaire socialiste". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). 3 May 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  23. ↑ Jarrassé, Jim (3 May 2011). "Martine Aubry dément les infos du Nouvel Obs". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  24. ↑ "Primaire socialiste: Martine Aubry "prendra ses responsabilités"". France 24 (in French). 23 May 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  25. ↑ Chrisafis, Angelique (28 June 2011). "Martine Aubry launches French presidential election bid". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  26. ↑ "Primaire au PS: Fabius penche pour Aubry". Libération (in French). AFP. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "Mauroy à Lille pour soutenir Aubry". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  28. ↑ "2012 : Après Fabius, Guigou fait savoir sa préférence pour Aubry". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). AFP. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  29. ↑ "Primaires PS: Lienemann soutient Aubry". Europe1 (in French). AFP. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 Bertholomey, Elisa (29 June 2011). "Catherine Tasca: "Il est logique que je soutienne Martine Aubry"". Le Post (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "1200 militants et élus lancent un appel pour Martine Aubry candidate à la présidentielle de 2012" (in French). martine2012.net. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  32. ↑ Auxiette, Jacques. "Je soutiens la candidature de Martine Aubry pour les primaires citoyennes" (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  33. ↑ "Primaire PS: Cambadélis soutient Aubry". L'Express (in French). 20 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  34. ↑ "Gagner, ensemble, avec Martine Aubry" (in French). Inventer a gauche. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  35. 1 2 Chouraqui, Marjory. "Bouches-du-Rhône : les ralliements à Martine Aubry se multiplient" (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  36. ↑ L'appel des 47 députés pour une candidature de Martine Aubry
  37. ↑ Deffrennes, Geoffroy (12 May 2011). "Des réseaux pour convaincre". Le Point (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  38. 1 2 Vignal, François. "Sénatoriales dans le Nord: ça grince chez Aubry" (in French). Public Sénat. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  39. ↑ "Les JSK se rallient à Aubry". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French). 27 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  40. ↑ "Jamel Debbouze soutient Martine Aubry...". AgoraVox (in French). 6 January 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  41. ↑ Primaire PS: Jean-Michel Baylet candidat
  42. ↑ Candidature de Jean-Michel Baylet aux primaires de la gauche, PRG, 15 July 2011
  43. ↑ Albinet, Alain (31 March 2011). "L'appel de Tulle de François Hollande". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  44. ↑ "C'est quoi "un président normal " ?". TF1 (in French). 23 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  45. ↑ "Hollande veut grappiller du terrain". Europe1. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  46. ↑ "Pourquoi François Hollande est devenu la nouvelle cible de ses " amis " au PS" (in French). politique.net. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  47. ↑ "Dumas penche plutôt pour Hollande". Sud Ouest (in French). 12 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  48. ↑ "Un second président de région soutient Hollande". L'Express (in French). 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  49. ↑ "PS : la bataille de la primaire passera-t-elle par le Sénat ?". Le Post (in French). 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  50. ↑ "Primaire PS: nouveau soutien pour Hollande". Le Journal du Dimanche (in French). 15 June 2011.
  51. ↑ "Les soutiens finistériens à François Hollande" (in French). La Télégramme.com. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  52. ↑ "Soutenu par B. Derosier, F. Hollande cultive ses amitiés dans le Nord". La Voix du Nord (in French). 9 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  53. ↑ "Guy Férez soutient François Hollande" (in French). Auxerre TV. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  54. 1 2 "François Hollande rode ses thèmes de campagne". Le Monde (in French). Reuters and AFP. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  55. ↑ "Ronan Kerdraon, Sénateur, et Michel Morin, Vice-Président du Conseil Régional de Bretagne apportent leur soutien à François Hollande". Blog (in French). ronan-kerdraon.fr. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  56. ↑ "Jean-Yves Le Drian sur #europe1 : "je soutiens François Hollande" pour les primaires socialistes" (in French). ActuPolitique.net. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  57. ↑ "Agression: l'élu Mahéas crie au "complot"". Le Figaro (in French). 11 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  58. ↑ Chaffanjon, Charlotte (18 April 2011). "L'entourage de François Hollande". Le Point (in French). Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  59. ↑ Pitois, Cyrille. "Joël Batteux, enthousiaste et toujours solitaire" (in French). ouest-france.fr. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  60. ↑ independante.php "Rénovation du PS: Arnaud Montebourg propose la création d'une "autorité indépendante"" Check |url= value (help). 20 Minutes (in French). Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  61. ↑ "PS : Montebourg se déclare candidat aux primaires socialistes". Le Parisien (in French). 20 November 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  62. ↑ "Ma candidature est celle d'un programme de transformation". Le Monde (in French). 25 November 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  63. ↑ "Arnaud Montebourg officialise sa "candidature à la présidence de la République française"" (in French). france-info.com. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  64. ↑ "Arnaud Montebourg est candidat "à la présidence de la République française"". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). AFP. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  65. ↑ "Thématique "Todd"" (in French). desideesetdesreves.fr/. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  66. ↑ Noblecourt, Michel (25 November 2011). "Le "pacte" Aubry-DSK s'élargit à Ségolène Royal". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  67. ↑ "Ségolène Royal candidate aux primaires du PS". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). 29 November 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  68. ↑ "Ségolène Royal relance sa campagne depuis son fief du Poitou-Charentes". Le Monde (in French). 26 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  69. ↑ "Une tribune de Jean-Louis Bianco: " Ségolène Royal, pourquoi ce doit être elle ".". blog (in French). leblogdesegoleneroyal.fr. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  70. ↑ Courage, Sylvain (8 June 2011). "Ségolène Royal: me r'voilà !". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  71. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Pourquoi nous soutenons Ségolène Royal". Le Monde (in French). 26 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  72. ↑ "Ségolène Royal: "Je me sens plus forte qu'en 2007"". Charente Libre (in French). 25 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  73. ↑ "Louis Mermaz soutient Ségolène Royal" (in French). ledauphine.com. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  74. ↑ Ségolène Royal à la mine et au charbon
  75. ↑
  76. ↑
  77. ↑ Ségolène Royal et Edgar Morin, le duo gagnant
  78. ↑ "PS : Manuel Valls candidat aux primaires". Le Parisien. AFP. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  79. ↑ "La profession de foi et les propositions du candidat Valls pour 2012". Le Point (in French). 9 April 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  80. ↑ "Les socialistes minimisent la "provocation" de Valls sur les 35 heures". Le Monde (in French). 3 January 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  81. ↑ "Valls: "Je suis candidat aux primaires"". Libération (in French). 7 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  82. ↑ "Primaire PS: Sabban soutient Valls". Le Figaro (in French). 27 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  83. ↑ "Arnaud Montebourg: "Je voterai pour Hollande"". Le Monde. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  84. ↑ "Hollande set to challenge Sarkozy in presidential vote". Le Monde. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.

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