PARIS, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- Former Socialist prime minister Manuel Valls is to face off Wednesday evening former minister and party rival, Benoit Hamon, in the last TV debate before the second round of the Socialist party primary next Sunday.
Hamon beat Valls in the first round of the Socialist primary last Sunday by 36 percent to 31 percent, but both qualified for a run-off vote on January 29.
Valls, 54, is expected to tackle the former education and social affairs minister on the realism of his social and environmental programme that would distribute billions of Euros at a time when the government coffers are empty.
Hamon, 49, is a devoted social reformer who says he wants to defend the less-well-off and provide a "universal salary" for people whether they work or not.
He criticises rival Valls for having "old and tired" solutions to the economic and social problems in France, which he says Valls failed to correct when he was in power.
The former prime minister takes a strong line on security, and is considered to be relatively pro-business, while Hamon is seen clearly on the left wing of the ruling Socialist party.
The debate atmosphere has become tense amid mutual accusations between the two men.
The second round of the Socialist primary vote will produce one winner who is expected to receive broad support, but Valls would not say publicly on Wednesday that if he is defeated on Sunday he will vote for Hamon in the future presidential election in April and May. (end) jk.hb