Benoit Hamon

French socialist wins new backing in presidential race

Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon picked up new backing on Feb. 23 in the rollercoaster French presidential race, as the nation's left aims to forge a united front with polls just months away.

Environmentalist Yannick Jadot dropped out and threw his support behind Hamon, while Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon said he was "open to discussion."

Hamon Wins First Round of French Socialists Primary Elections

Primary elections of political parties continue in France three months before the presidential elections.

On Monday, the biggest surprise came from the Socialists camp. The winner in the first round of the elections turned out to be Benoît Hamon, former Education Minister at the beginning of the presidency of François Hollande.

Marine Le Pen establishes lead in first round French election poll

 

Marine Le Pen has overtaken French presidential favourite François Fillon to become the frontrunner in the latest first round election poll.

 

The Front National leader is now polling at 26.5 per cent, a lead of 1.5 per cent over former Conservative Prime Minister Fillon.