November 17, 2006 - 14:36 AMT
One of Authors of Bill on Genocide May Become French President
Ségolène Royal, the left-wing favorite for the French presidency, emerged triumphant last night after party members anointed her by a heavy majority as the Socialist candidate in the elections next spring.

"I am thrilled by this moment of happiness . . . France is about to write a new chapter in its history," Ms Royal said after the 218,000 party membership gave her more than 55 per cent of the vote against her two rivals, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Laurent Fabius.

The new Socialist champion will now turn her energy to rallying left-wing and centrist supporters to her cause in an election that is expected to become a run-off with Nicolas Sarkozy, who had clearly identified her as a serious contender, reports Lenta.ru

It should also be noted that Ségolène Royal was one of the initiators and authors of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial that was adopted by the French National Assembly October 12. 2006.