Can Aubry quell Socialist cacophony?
Martine Aubry, who has defeated Segolene Royal in a disputed contest to lead the French Socialist Party, now inherits a seething cauldron of personal ambitions and warring ideological convictions, says Hugh Schofield in Paris. Profile: Martine Aubry You can understand the Socialists trying to put a brave face on it. After all, the battle is now technically over and they do have – finally – a new party secretary. Grassroots members from around the country are now telling radio interviewers how the differences at the top never affected relationships la base (at ground-level) and how Aubryistes and Royalistes can now link arms and take the fight to President Nicolas Sarkozy. Ms Aubry has said that unity is her watchword, while Ms Royal seems to have dropped her threat of legal action to challenge the results of the ballot. As Ms Aubry – hot from her victory declaration earlier this week – herself put it: “The right has a few more days to laugh – but from next week, we are back in business
