Segolene Royal has kicked off a tough campaign to be elected France's first female president, fresh from her nomination as the Socialists’ candidate.
Royal is widely viewed as a formidable challenger to the right.
She spoke to Socialist party workers at their headquarters in Melle.
"I am calling upon all French people - men and women of our country - gather together, mobilise, ask yourself what you can do for your country. Let's imagine together a France that will have the courage to fight for change without giving up its ideal of liberty, fraternity and equality."
Her decisive win in the primary suggests the party is ready to put aside internal divisions in its bid to recapture power in the April elections.
It's believed that party unity will be crucial in the upcoming battle against the right's leading contender, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Socialists dominated French politics a generation ago but have suffered from a lack of direction since former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin lost the last election in 2002 in third place.
Royal has become a serious presidential contender since the Socialists nominated her as their candidate.
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