It could not have been much closer. Martine Aubry has won the all-female fight to become leader of France’s Socialists.

According to the party, Aubry has beaten rival Segolene Royal by just 42 votes after activists nationwide cast their ballots.

Seeking to revive her political standing after losing last year’s presidential election to Nicolas Sarkozy, Royal is contesting the outcome. Amid hints of foul play, her camp is demanding a re-run.

The Socialists’ outgoing leader, Royal’s estranged former partner Francois Hollande, has called a meeting of the party hierarchy.

In the chaos and confusion, one thing is certain – feuding in France’s main opposition party is far from over.

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