17/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, the leader of the European Socialist Party, has congratulated Ségolène Royal on her nomination as PS candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election in France. “In choosing a resolute and visionary woman, the members of the Parti Socialiste have chosen for France a candidate for the future and have given themselves every chance of beating the right in 2007,” he said. He went on, “Ségolène represents an opportunity for France and an opportunity for Europe. She will enable France to regain its natural place as a great progressive nation in Europe and the world”. (hb)