Reading the runes of the French election

Article Abstract:

Mainstream political parties are increasingly losing support in France as voters become disaffected with politics. There was a very low turnout in the first round of the parliamentary election, and mainstream parties gained only a small share of the vote. The left wing, including the greens, obtained more than 42% of the vote, and the outcome of the first round could therefore be seen as a victory for the Socialists. However, it could also be argued that the result was a victory for the right wing, if support for the National Front and a number of fringe parties is taken into account.

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After Britain, France swings left

Article Abstract:

It seems likely that the left wing will gain a clear victory in the second round of France's parliamentary elections. This will mean that a shared left-right government is created, with Socialist leader Lionel Jospin becoming Prime Minister while Gaullist Jacques Chirac remains President. Opinion polls indicate that the centre-right is suffering from confusion and defeatism, while the left wing is becoming increasingly confident.

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