Elections: Socialists choose candidate in final vote

France’s governing Socialist party is set to choose its candidate for the presidential election in April. Manuel Valls, a former prime minister, and left-wing Benoit Hamon are both contesting the run-off vote on Sunday. But outgoing President Francois Hollande, a fellow Socialist, is deeply unpopular and may affect the party’s chances in the April election. […]

France’s governing Socialist party is set to choose its candidate for the presidential election in April.
Manuel Valls, a former prime minister, and left-wing Benoit Hamon are both contesting the run-off vote on Sunday.
But outgoing President Francois Hollande, a fellow Socialist, is deeply unpopular and may affect the party’s chances in the April election.
Conservative Francois Fillon, right-wing Marine Le Pen, and centrist Emmanuel Macron lead the polls.
Sunday’s Socialist primary has seen Mr Hamon, 49, suddenly surge in popularity with a range of liberal proposals, including a proposal for a universal monthly income for all citizens.
Mr Valls, however, contends that his experience as prime minister between 2014 and 2016, as well as his previous ministerial experience, make him a superior candidate.