Seven contenders to contest France's left-wing presidential primary

Seven candidates will compete for the French left-wing primary in January to win the nomination for next year's presidential election, the organizers said on Saturday.

Four people from the ruling Socialist Party will run in the competition including ex-prime minister Manuel Valls and three former members of his executive staff ex-economy minister Arnaud Montebourg, Benoit Hamon and Vincent Peillon, both had managed education portfolio.

Two ecologists Francois de Rugy, vice president of the National Assembly and Jean-Luc Bennahmias, president of Democratic Movement appeared in the list of contenders vying for left ticket to take part in the race to the Elysee Palace.

Former housing minister Sylvia Pinel, head of the Radical Left Party, is the only female candidate in the two-round primary scheduled for Jan. 22 and 29.

The country's opinion polls predicted Valls to win the left primary. However, they said no candidate from the left-wing parties would garner enough public support to cruise to the second round.

The seven candidates will defend their bid and try to appease voters in three televised debates on Jan. 12,15 and 19.

(APD)