France’s right-wing opposition party has been left in disarray after two candidates claimed victory in a contest to elect the next leader.

The ballot to succeed former president Nicolas Sarkozy as leader of the Union for a Popular Movement party – known as the UMP – resulted in both contenders grappling for control of the party and making allegations of vote-rigging.

Former budget minister Jean-Francois Cope declared a lead of 1,000 votes while his rival, former Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that he won by 240 votes.

The winner will lead opposition to President Francois Hollande’s Socialist leadership.

Regardless of the final outcome – which the party hopes will be decided later on Monday – the ballot result revealed a deep rift between party members.

Mr Fillon is seen mostly as an even-tempered moderate while former UMP leader Mr Cope is known for reaching out to the far right and leading the legislative effort that banned face-covering Muslim veils.

Some political commentators even suggested the UMP could collapse.

Others highlighted the heat that infighting in the main opposition party would take off Mr Hollande, whose approval ratings are falling as he struggles with rampant unemployment and stalled growth.

The Le Monde newspaper, which ran a front page showing a bare podium at the party’s headquarters, said it was hard to imagine a worse outcome for the party.

After a decade in power, the UMP lost both the presidency and control of the National Assembly to Socialists in May.

Mr Sarkozy, who lost to Mr Hollande in the spring election, remains a behind-the-scenes presence and there is now speculation the party split could prompt his comeback.

Surveys suggest two-thirds of party members see Mr Sarkozy better placed to wrestle power back from the ruling Socialists.

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