Villeurbanne (AFP)

Anne Hidalgo should be invested by the Socialist Party during an internal vote on October 14 which will separate her from her putative competitors for the presidential election, but without contradictory public debate, the party decided on Saturday in Congress, which angered some.

The former First Secretary of the Jean-Christophe Cambadélis party, who was considering running for office, rallied around the mayor of Paris's candidacy.

"The conditions for a true primary serene in the face of public opinion could not be met. I respect this choice but I cannot participate in it under these conditions. I will therefore support Anne Hidalgo," he tweeted.

A large majority of the delegates present at the 79th Congress of the PS in Villeurbanne voted for the holding of this internal vote on October 14, promised by the First Secretary reelected Saturday Olivier Faure who supports the mayor of Paris.

The mayor of Le Mans Stéphane Le Foll could also present himself but he demanded like Mr. Cambadélis an adversarial debate between them, which will not take place.

The delegates opted for "a time of exchange of each candidate with the militants", explained Pierre Jouvet, spokesperson for the PS, who will chair the special electoral commission which will be set up.

"It is a process which will not lead to overbidding", explained Olivier Faure.

He had indicated earlier to the press that he was against "a hyper publicized public confrontation" between the candidates.

Anne Hidalgo did not hide either that she was against a debate between candidates, preferring to "debate with the French".

"It is a vote where the suspense is not very great", recognized Olivier Faure.

According to him, even "those who can be candidates against her, do not think that they can be appointed", and if Anne Hidalgo has already announced her candidacy, without waiting for the nomination of the PS, "it is because she had the feeling, not totally unfounded, that almost all the federations and elected officials support it ".

To be a candidate, you will need 30 sponsorships from members of the party's federal office.

Contenders have until October 8 to apply.

Activists who have joined no later than six months before will be able to vote, and those who have joined for the last time in 2018, and who will have updated their subscription, will be able to be part of the electoral body.

Delegates supporting Hélène Geoffroy, the only opponent of Olivier Faure for the head of the party, abstained, because they wanted a "public debate between candidates in front of the French".

© 2021 AFP