French Socialists refuse to endorse left bloc candidate Bello as PM, call for further debate

First Secretary of the French left-wing Socialist Party (PS) Olivier Faure (L) speaks with former French president and Socialist newly-elected Member of Parliament Francois Hollande (R) on the sidelines of a welcoming day after the second round of France's legislative election at the National Assembly, Paris, July 9, 2024. © Bertrand Guay, AFP

The Socialist Party within the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance on Saturday refused to endorse Huguette Bello for the French prime minister’s position following the alliance's electoral gains in the snap French legislative polls, and called for further discussions to find the best candidate for the role.

“No name has a consensus among us at this stage,” said the Socialist party's secretary-general Pierre Jouvet. The Socialist Party continued to back their party leader Olivier Faure as the best candidate to head the new French government, while seeking to find a compromise with its partners on a suitable frontrunner by “July 18”, said Jouvet.

Watch moreFrench left propose Huguette Bello as compromise PM pick, but Socialists are on the fence

(FRANCE 24 and AFP)