Royal seeks to unite left after clear party victory

SEGOLENE ROYAL, who overwhelmingly won the backing of the main opposition Socialist Party in her bid to become France’s first female president, called on the country yesterday to work together for deep changes to overcome its malaise.

Ms Royal’s victory on Thursday sets the stage for a likely showdown in April against the conservative front-runner, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

A 53-year-old mother of four, Ms Royal distinguishes herself from typically lofty French politicians with catchphrases such as “participative democracy” and “collective intelligence” that put faith in ordinary people.