Jospin Scores Upset In Socialist Primary

Former Socialist leader Lionel Jospin won an upset victory to become the party’s candidate to succeed President Francois Mitterrand in spring elections.

Results from the primary race announced Saturday gave Jospin 66 percent of votes cast by party members, compared with 34 percent for Henri Emmanuelli, the first party secretary.

Jospin, a 57-year-old former education minister, had been favored in public opinion polls. But Emmanuelli, 49, was hand-picked by party officials seeking a candidate who could survive the first-round presidential vote April 23.

The Socialist Mitterrand, who is suffering from cancer, has governed since 1981.