http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6152944.stm Segolene Royal will be the French Socialists' presidential candidate at elections next year, after beating two rivals in a ballot of party members.
The 53-year-old mother-of-four hopes to become France's first woman leader.
She won a clear victory over former Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and ex-Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, thus avoiding a second round of voting.
Ms Royal said she felt honoured by the result. "To be chosen in this way is something extraordinary," she said.
Speaking shortly before her win was formally announced, she added: "The hour now is for unity."
Both her rivals conceded victory, saying it was important for the Socialists to forget their differences and focus on the presidential campaign. -snip-
:loveya: