French presidential race centres on 'top cop' Valls after Hollande bow-out

French President Francois Hollande (L) speaks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 30, 2016 following the weekly cabinet meeting, Picture taken November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Prime Minister Manuel Valls emerged on Friday as the possible standard bearer of the ruling Socialists in France's presidential election following Francois Hollande's shock announcement that he would not seek a second term.

A snap opinion poll, conducted on Thursday night after Hollande' statement, showed that Socialist voters and French voters as a whole wanted to see Valls win the party ticket to run for president next spring.