Hollande formally installed as Socialist candidate in French election

Francois Hollande was formally installed today as the Socialist Party candidate in presidential elections six months away, and he vowed to re-enchant the French after five years of conservative leadership under President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hollande led a frontal attack on Sarkozy – who has not yet declared his candidacy for the two-round elections in April and May but is expected to do so - dismissing criticism by the president’s allies that he lacks the experience to lead the country.

“Now, to be president, one must already have been one,” he said sarcastically. “The right counts on the (economic) crisis to save itself. I propose the French count on the left to save them from the crisis.”

Hollande, 57, spoke forcefully, clearly meant to counter the bland, uncharismatic image he portrayed during 10 years at the helm of the Socialist Party.

“The change we want now has a name, Francois Hollande,” current party leader Martine Aubry, anointing Hollande as candidate, told a party convention.

Hollande defeated Aubry by a large margin in an October 16 vote to win the Socialist nomination after three rounds of debate.

Among the five others defeated by Hollande was his former companion, Segolene Royal, mother of his four children – who challenged Sarkozy in 2007 elections. All were among the hundreds of militants at the rousing convention to kick off Hollande’s candidacy.