Paris mayor to run for Socialist party leadership

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said in an interview published yesterday that he would run for the leadership of the French Socialist Party, setting the stage for a showdown with former presidential candidate Segolene Royal.

The Socialists have been divided and rudderless since Royal was soundly beaten by Nicolas Sarkozy in May 2007 and have failed to mount an effective opposition.

Party members are due to choose a new leader in November. Royal said in May she would stand and Delanoe, seen as her most serious rival, had been under pressure to launch his own bid.