Segolene Royal, the former partner of French President Francois Hollande, greets supporters and media with her trademark smile.
But it was bitter disappointment that colored her words on Sunday after being defeated in France's parliamentary runoff by party rival Olivier Falorni.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH LEFT CANDIDATE SEGOLENE ROYAL:
"Tonight's result is the result of a political betrayal as the supoprt by the UMP has been associated with an unfair use of the presidential majority label, which misled several voters. (AUDIENCE CLAPPING) And I remember this phrase by Victor Hugo: 'The betrayer always gets betrayed.'"
Falorni refused party orders to drop out of the race and cede the seat to Royal.
The plot thickened when Hollande's current partner and defector First Lady Valerie Trierweiler tweeted her support for Falorni.
Hollande's party secured a clear majority in parliament and has cemented his position ahead of euro zone debt crisis talks.
Royal has three children with Hollande and unsuccessfully ran for president in 2007.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
