PARIS : In Search of a Leader
Francois Mitterrand’s Socialist Party, up against its poorest electoral prospects in 14 years, meets this weekend to choose a party leader and candidate for national elections this spring to replace the retiring president.
The choice, expected Sunday, appears to be between Lionel Jaspin, former minister of education, and the party’s current leader, Henri Emmanuelli. Analysts say neither would have much chance in national elections against front-runner Edouard Balladur, the conservative Rally for the Republic prime minister, or even Jacques Chirac, the conservative Parisian mayor.
The Socialists have been disheartened since last month, when Jacques Delors, president of the European Union, decided not to seek the leadership.
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