 "Partial results: Valls, Hamon advance in French primary")
Partial results suggest that Manuel Valls, a center-leaning former prime minister who rallied France together after extremist attacks, will confront stalwart Socialist Benoit Hamon in the country's left-wing presidential primary runoff.
Organisers of today's first round of primary voting said Hamon, a former government minister, was leading with 35.2 per cent followed by Valls with 31.6 per cent, based on more than one-third of the vote count.
Whoever wins the Jan. 29 primary runoff will face the April-May presidential election battling more popular candidates from the far right to the far left riding frustration with immigration and economic stagnation.
Valls paints himself as a bastion against populism and would continue pro-business reforms.
Organisers of today's first round of primary voting said Hamon, a former government minister, was leading with 35.2 per cent followed by Valls with 31.6 per cent, based on more than one-third of the vote count.
Whoever wins the Jan. 29 primary runoff will face the April-May presidential election battling more popular candidates from the far right to the far left riding frustration with immigration and economic stagnation.
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Hamon would tax robots, legalise cannabis and give all citizens 750 euros a month.
Valls paints himself as a bastion against populism and would continue pro-business reforms.