Primary elections have begun in France as the Socialist Party attempts to find a candidate for this year’s presidential race.<br /><br /> Seven candidates are in the running, including former prime minister Manuel Valls. <br /><br /> There is only one woman among the candidates.<br /><br /> A first round ballot is being held today, with a run-off next Sunday.<br /><br /> After voting, Valls told reporters: “The only message to send out today is about turnout, that French voters must go and cast a ballot. <br /><br /> “That’s the most important thing. The cards are on the table, now let’s all take part.”<br /><br /> Latest opinion polls suggest Valls is the favourite, but two politicians kicked out of the Socialist government for questioning economic policies are not far behind. <br /><br /> Benoit Hamon is a former education minister and Arnaud Montebourg was the economy minister.<br /><br /> After voting, Hamon said: “I expressed my ideas everywhere in France, and in the overseas territories, and I hope I’ve been able to convince. We’ll see. <br /><br /> “If the turnout is strong, it’ll give a lot of legitimacy to the chosen candidate, otherwise it’ll be more difficult. So, we need a big turnout.” <br /><br /> But the polls also suggest that the Socialists have little chance of winning the presidential ballot in April, no matter who the candidate is.<br /><br /> The political Right in France recently chose former prime minister Francois Fillon as its presidential candidate, rejecting an attempt at a comeback by ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy.<br /><br /> Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, a former economy minister, is also high in the polls, along with the leader of the far-right National Front party, Marine Le Pen.<br /><br /> Primary elections held on the Left and Right are a relatively new concept in France.<br /><br /> The voting is open to ordinary members of the public, as long as they declare that they share the party’s values and make a token payment of one or two euros.<br />
