France’s opposition Socialist Party has confirmed the victory of Martine Aubry in a hotly-disputed leadership contest. Her rival, Segolene Royal, had refused to recognise the result of Friday’s poll after Aubry was declared the winner by just 42 votes. A special party commission was set up to look into allegations made by the Royal camp of vote rigging and irregularities. But it has now officially announced that Aubry had actually beaten Royal by 102 votes, 60 more than first reported.

Royal, who was the Socialists’ unsuccessful candidate in last year’s presidential election, had demanded a new leadership vote, saying too many doubts clouded the original ballot, but senior party officials say that is unlikely. Some Socialists have warned the party might split over the row, but Royal herself rejected this idea. Her followers have said they may take legal action to force a new vote.More about: France

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