Socialist Party primary: the final countdown

This coming Sunday, one thing is sure: we will have a Socialist candidate for next spring's presidential election. But will it be Martine Aubry or François Hollande?

POLITICS

By FRANCE 24

Marc Perelman interviews:

- Anne-Elisabeth Moutet, Columnist, The Sunday Telegraph
- Denis Demonpion, Editor-in-chief, Le Nouvel Observateur Magazine

Marc Perelman

French Politics Editor

21/03/2013 - POLITICS

Socialist government: from bad to worse

This week, we witnessed the first formal battle in the French Parliament, with the conservative UMP party putting forward a motion of no-confidence against the Socialist government. It had no chance of passing, but it allowed each camp to lay out competing arguments on how best to get the country back on its feet.

14/03/2013 - POLITICS

Education reform: mission impossible?

If you want to look for trouble in France, here is one sure recipe: become Education minister and then try to reform the school system. Many have tried and most have failed. The current minister Vincent Peillon is trying to move what one his predecessors called a 'mammoth'.

07/03/2013 - POLITICS

National Front: the new strategy

The far-right national front party has for years done much better in presidential elections than in local polls. But its leader Marine Le Pen is determined to make sure her party gains a solid foothold in France's towns and villages by scoring big in next year's municipal elections. Riding the coattails of her growing popularity and of the deepening economic crisis, she hopes that her anti-European message will pay off.

28/02/2013 - POLITICS

Unemployment: from bad to worse

Promises, promises... French President François Hollande had made twin promises for this year: he would bring France's budget deficit under 3% of GDP and he would stop the unrelenting rise in unemployment by the end of the year. The deficit target has now officially been missed, and the unemployment pledge seems shakier by the day.

21/02/2013 - POLITICS

Family policy: the French taboo

When it comes to efficiency, France generally pales in comparison to Germany. But if there is one thing that works better here, it is family policy. France has a much higher birth rate than its mighty neighbour, thanks to generous benefits for parents and children. But with zero economic growth and a commitment to slash debt and deficits, the government is considering reducing a number of welfare programmes, including the sacrosanct family benefits.

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