France’s Socialist Party picks Paris mayor as presidential candidate

France’s Socialist Party (PS) chose Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo as its presidential candidate late Thursday.

Hidalgo won more than 72% of the votes cast by party members with more than 90% of the ballots counted, the party’s first secretary Olivier Faure announced.

Hidalgo beat another candidate, former agriculture minister and mayor of Le Mans Stephane Le Foll.

The first round of France’s presidential election will be held on April 10, 2022. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a second round will be held on April 24 between the two candidates who received the most votes.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk