French support for a gay presidential candidate
A new poll has revealed that 75% of French voters would be happy to support a gay candidate for President.
The current Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, is considered as a likely candidate for the Socialist nomination in 2012.
He is one of the few openly gay politicians in France.
While those polled by CSA were generally favourable towards a gay candidate, only 27% thought other French voters would have the same attitude.
The Left does well in local government elections, but has not taken the Elysee Palace since Francois Mitterrand left office in 1995.
Mr Delanoe has proved to be a popular Mayor of Paris since we was first elected in 2001, with innovative ideas such as Paris Plage and a bike-hiring scheme proving popular with the city’s residents.
He famously announced his sexuality in a television interview in 1998.
The 58-year-old was re-elected in 2007.
