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Benoit Hamon: 'French Jeremy Corbyn' set to be Socialist candidate in surprise win

Left-winger: Benoit Hamon: EPA
Left-winger: Benoit Hamon: EPA

A radical Left-winger dubbed “France’s Jeremy Corbyn” was today on course to become the ruling Socialist Party’s candidate in presidential elections this spring.

Benoit Hamon, 49, has caused a stir with his policies including giving a guaranteed income of around £550 a month to every citizen, whether they work or not.

This did not stop thousands voting for him in a first-round presidential primary yesterday, and he will now go head-to-head with former Prime Minister Manuel Valls in the second round next weekend.

“Left-wing constituents voted with their hearts and have not given up,” Mr Hamon said after his surprise victory.

Mr Hamon won by 36 per cent of the total vote, compared to his nearest rival, Mr Valls, on 31 per cent.

Mr Valls said he hoped to replace Francoise Hollande as president, so as to prove that his party “is not dead”.

But Mr Valls also warned that voting for Mr Hamon – who hopes to fund his “universal income” scheme with billions in wealth tax – would mean “certain defeat”.

Both men hope to put almost five years of mediocre Socialist governance behind them, even though opinion polls suggest the Socialists will be wiped out in the first round of the presidential elections in April.

It follows President Hollande effectively already conceding defeat, announcing that he would not even bother seeking re-election.

His presidency has been characterised by soaring unemployment, business failure, and violent street demonstrations, and his approval rating is currently just four per cent.

The eventual winner of the Socialist primary will be up against Francois Fillon, the conservative Republican candidate who is already the favourite to succeed Mr Hollande.