Benoit Hamon becomes Socialist Party candidate for French presidency

[-:Undertaker:-]

Benoit Hamon wins run-off to become Socialist Party candidate in French presidential elections, party sources say https://t.co/VU7F8zS0tP

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) January 29, 2017

Background information: He came from nowhere to beat the front runner Manuel Valls. To relate it to our political system, Hamon is basically a Jeremy Corbyn or Bernie Sanders of the Left. An outsider in other words.

Mr Hamon, 49, was the most left-leaning of the seven initial candidates in the Socialist race, the first round of which was held last week.

He has experienced a surge in popularity from a range of progressive plans, including a proposal for a universal monthly income for all citizens.


He also wants to legalise cannabis, and ditch the labour law passed last year that made it easier to hire and fire.

What's more interesting with the race is that the Republican candidate and assumed to be front runner Francois Fillion is now embroiled in a scandal regarding his wife being employed. Bad timing for him. You've also got an Independent candidate, former PM Emmanuel Macron running who is sort of a Tony Blair/Nick Clegg candidate

At the moment Marine Le Pen of the Front National is leading the first round polls.

The top two in the first round go into a run-off. For ideology/debate sake, Le Pen vs Hamon would be most interesting.

All very fluid at the moment. Who knows?

Thoughts?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Tonight's polling on 1st round...

France, Kantar poll:

Le Pen (FN-ENF): 25% ↓
Fillon (LR-EPP): 21% ↓
Macron (EM-NI): 20% ↑
Hamon (PS-S&D): 13% ↑... https://t.co/pBXFLwQpUw

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) January 29, 2017

And hypothetical 2nd round between the top two...

France: Second round of Presidential election, Kantar poll:

Fillon: 60%
Le Pen: 40%#Sondage #Presidentielle2017 #Fillon #LePen #Hamon pic.twitter.com/9aWteYuYcD

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) January 29, 2017

Le Pen would require a 10% swing to win the French presidency. Do-able I think...