Reims, France - France's opposition Socialist Party failed to decide on a candidate for the post of party leader Sunday after lengthy negotiations that lasted through the night. There was still no compromise candidate Sunday morning as the Socialists came together for their party conference in the city of Reims, some 150 kilometres to the north-east of Paris.
Former presidential candidate Segolene Royal, who was beaten by Nicolas Sarkozy last year, said she was disappointed that her "outstretched hand" had not been accepted.
She was calling on party members to support her in the election of a party leader due to take place Thursday.
The party conference was originally expected to decide on a compromise from the leading candidates.
A major sticking point was whether the Socialists would be prepared to work in coalition with the centrist Modem party.
Royal's opponents, former Labour Minister Martine Aubry and Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, have ruled out such a move.
Socialist Party leader and Royal's former life partner, Francois Hollande, is stepping down after 11 years in office.
