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Gay Paris Mayor Sets Sights on Presidency

Delanoë, ahead in opposition polls, says France is ready

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2008 12:44 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The battle is on for the leadership of France's opposition Socialist Party, and a man who says the nation is ready for a gay president is the surprise leader, the Telegraph reports. Bertrand Delanoë, the popular mayor of Paris, is the early favorite, outpolling Ségolène Royal, who lost last year's election to Nicolas Sarkozy. 

Delanoë, 57, was a surprise winner in 2001 and was easily reelected this year. Once stabbed by a homophobe, he says in a recent book, "People think that homosexuality is accepted in Paris but not in the suburbs and the provinces. That is a false idea. As people feel that it's not a problem for me, it is no longer a problem for them,"

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, left, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, talk during their French League Cup final soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, left, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, talk during their French League Cup final soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at the Stade de France in Saint...   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, shakes hand with Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe after their lunch at the Paris city hall, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, shakes hand with Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe after their lunch at the Paris city hall, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.   (AP Photo/Michael Sawyer)
Former French presidential candidate Segolene Royal walks on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.
Former French presidential candidate Segolene Royal walks on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.   (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
French Socialist's losing presidential candidate, Segolene Royal delivers a speech at the Socialist Party's Summer School in La Rochelle.
French Socialist's losing presidential candidate, Segolene Royal delivers a speech at the Socialist Party's Summer School in La Rochelle.   (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe registers his name after he casts his vote, Sunday, March 9, 2008.
Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe registers his name after he casts his vote, Sunday, March 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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More on the Royal-Delanoe showdown
Independent (UK)

 
Segolene Royal • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • homosexuality • Paris • Socialist Party • Bertrand Delanoe • gays

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