Head of France's ruling Socialist Party sees little hope to maintain power in 2017

Head of ruling Socialist Party leader Jean-Christophe Cambadelis on Saturday cast doubts over the Socialists' chances to win the 2017 presidential election on divided Socialist camp and long fall in French leader Francois Hollande approval ratings.

"At this stage, no putative candidate, whoever he is, seems able to beat the right. And even pass the first round," Cambadelis said.

"I think it is necessary that we should be united despite disagreements. We have the primaries to overcome all this," he told the regional newspaper La Nouvelle Republique.

With the aim, PS secretary general pleaded for the unity "socialists, radicals, environmentalists and trade unions," to help a Left candidate to cruise to the second round of the upcoming elections.

A recent TNS Sofres-OnePoint poll showed that Hollande would lost his bid for re-election in the first round of voting, adding he would garner between 11 and 15 percent of the vote regardless according to nine possible combinations of the various candidates.

French pollsters also predicted that the current occupant of the Elysee Palace would definitely lose to his former economy minister Emmanuel Macron who has yet to declare his candidacy.

Traditionally, the incumbent head of state represents his party in an election, without a contest. But given Hollande's weak approval ratings, he could face a challenger from the left camp.

The two-round of left-wing parties primary are scheduled for Jan. 22 and 29. Endit