French show of fury lets Front play the martyr; protests against Le Pen's congress may actually help him

Article Abstract:

France's extreme-right Front National is likely to attract strong protests as it holds a national conference in Strasbourg, France. The party will be able to use this to its advantage, pointing out that a political organisation which is supported by up to 15% of voters should be permitted to hold a legal gathering without mass protests. These protests will reflect badly on the political establishment, and will deflect attention away from what is actually discussed at the conference, where there may be signs of a power struggle emerging.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, National Front (France)

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French election pivots around euro

Article Abstract:

The European single currency will be a key issue in the parliamentary election which has been called unexpectedly by French President Jacques Chirac. It is likely that Chirac hopes that the popularity of Europe among French voters will serve to boost his own popularity, which is currently very limited. He also feels that an early election will allow France to reject the far-right National Front and give a boost to the government's reform programme.

European Monetary System, Chirac, Jacques

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French left goes in search of a new ideology: Like Blair's Labour, the Socialists have moved right

Article Abstract:

The French Socialist party is facing accusations of not having yet undergone a cultural revolution along the lines of the changes which have taken place in the UK Labour party. The party currently has no clear ideology at all, and its shift towards the centre has taken place more by accident than design. Party leader Lionel Jospin has attempted to bow to opposing pressures to move the party towards the left again and to occupy the centre ground.

Socialist Party (France)

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