Jospin's return creates political rift

PARIS, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Ségolène Royal's campaign for the Socialist nomination in the French presidential election next year has reportedly run into its first trouble in Paris.

Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, in an emotional return to front-line politics, sent Royal's poll ratings on a sharp downfall by raising questions about her stature and credibility, the Independent reported.

The former minister and president of the Poitou-Charente region remains determined to be the first woman to lead a political party into a French presidential election, the newspaper said.

Although many voters are suspicious of Royal's background, the Independent said she could likely be positioned to defeat the center-right next spring, despite the drop resulting from Jospin's return.