French left wing holds first presidential debate before primary

Less than two weeks before the French left-wing primary, seven presidential contenders addressed the nation Thursday in their first debate to appease voters who are angry at the ruling Socialists' broken promises of better social welfare and more jobs.

The candidates, four from the Socialist Party, two ecologists and one from a radical left party, were trying to sell their plans to promote growth, bring down joblessness and strengthen security.

A flash poll conducted by Elabe immediately after the debate showed that 29 percent of people considered Arnaud Montebourg, an ex-economy minister and an advocate of "made in France," most convincing.

Manuel Valls, ex-chief of President Francois Hollande's executive staff, and former Education Minister Benoit Hamon followed with 26 percent and 20 percent respectively, according to the online poll of 1,117 voters commissioned by BFM TV.

But among left-wing voters, Valls led with 28 percent, followed by Hamon with 27 and Montebourg with 23 percent, indicating a close primary.

The first round left-wing primary is scheduled for Jan. 22, followed by a second one a week later.

However, the left wing has small chances in the presidential election, given the widely divided left camp's unpopularity, according to polls. Endi