PARIS (AFX) - Socialist Party politician Jack Lang, who was formerly minister for culture and education, said he intends to stand in France's 2007 presidential elections.
"I will be one of the candidates on the list and Socialist Party members will, in a year's time, choose whom they think will be best to stand," he told France 2 state television.
Recent polls give Lang, 65, a big lead in public support over 72-year-old Chirac, whose recent backing of a referendum on an EU constitution was rebuffed by a 'non' vote.
A TNS-Sofres survey published today said Lang and a former Socialist health minister, Bernard Kouchner, each have 48 pct support, while confidence in current President Jacques Chirac has slipped to 21 pct -- the lowest for a French head of state since polling began 30 years ago.
Chirac has not yet said whether he will run for a third term as President.
Lang has twice served as culture minister and twice as education minister during 1981-2002.
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"I will be one of the candidates on the list and Socialist Party members will, in a year's time, choose whom they think will be best to stand," he told France 2 state television.
Recent polls give Lang, 65, a big lead in public support over 72-year-old Chirac, whose recent backing of a referendum on an EU constitution was rebuffed by a 'non' vote.
A TNS-Sofres survey published today said Lang and a former Socialist health minister, Bernard Kouchner, each have 48 pct support, while confidence in current President Jacques Chirac has slipped to 21 pct -- the lowest for a French head of state since polling began 30 years ago.
Chirac has not yet said whether he will run for a third term as President.
Lang has twice served as culture minister and twice as education minister during 1981-2002.
db/rmb/wdb
COPYRIGHT
Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
For more information and to contact AFX: www.afxnews.com and www.afxpress.com
© 2005 AFX News
