'C'est l'élite finale'

Nicolas Sarkozy has thrown himself into the campaign fray this weekend with his first big rally - an unashamedly populist and nationalistic appeal to France's working classes.

IN THE PAPERS

By Elena CASAS

Le Figaro say Sarkozy was evoking the spirit of de Gaulle - showing that only he can fill the president's shoes - while for Le Parisien the speech was a populist and nationalistic appeal to ordinary people.

Liberation says it's beyond satire that a man so associated with tax breaks for the rich should now be trying to paint himslf as the people's president - and L'Humanité says it's a swing to the extreme right.

La Croix points out that if it's Marine Le Pen he's targeting, then he seems to be winning - she's going down in the polls as he goes up.

03/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

The lady Pirates of Penzance: Women's Institute group makes gaffe

What role for the US in Syria? Columnists weigh up Obama’s options for intervention, with many commentators advising him to proceed with caution. Afghanistan’s state coffers might be dry, but illegal enterprise is booming: the international papers reflect upon the financial challenges faced by the country. And there are tales of adventure from the high seas for a Women’s Institute group, who got carried away with their fancy dress.

03/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Not a very happy anniversary for Hollande

French papers mark François Hollande’s first year in office with a less-than-glowing report card, highlighting the president’s plummeting popularity. Elsewhere, the fate of Syrians living in Aleppo is on the front page, two years after the city was engulfed by sectarian violence. And an arms cache uncovered... in a bin in Paris! One homeless man discovered a curious collection of weapons.

02/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Obama must move on Guantanamo

International editorials all have advice for Obama and his hopes to close Guantanamo, this as many of its inmates go on hunger strike. In the wake of the collapse of a textile factory in Bangladesh, the pope condemns "slave labour" working conditions and called for more job stability. And as the UK goes to the polls in local elections, the Eurosceptic UKIP party makes a tasteless joke, with a little help from Photoshop.

02/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Claude Guéant in the firing line for 'amateur' art deals

Former Interior Minister Claude Guéant is back in the headlines: he’s accused of laundering money for Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidential campaign. Le Figaro has an interview from the man who escaped the Taliban - the former French hostage tells his story. And Uruguayan scientists develop a genetically modified breed of sheep that glows in the dark.

01/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Time to rekindle May Day in Bangladesh'

WORLD PAPERS, Wednesday 1 May 2013: Obama is ready to provide "lethal arms" to Syria, according to The Washington Post; Bangladesh’s Daily Star says this May 1st Labour Day is a chance to reflect on how the country can improve working conditions; and the UK’s Independent cries "fowl" as artists propose putting a giant blue cockerel in London’s Trafalgar Square.