'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.

31/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

The Power Vacuum surrounding Syria, and three British bugbears for the price of one

No power vacuum lasts forever. So in the absence of significant American intervention in Syria, regional powers have jumped in – above all Hezbollah and its sponsor, Iran. We look at three perspectives on that, before we go to the UK where we read about three things that drive the Brits crazy: immigration, Europe and social assistance. And they’re all wrapped up in one story!

31/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

A Judge in the Dock... and François Hollande is apparently not a prophet

Businessman Bernard Tapie is back in the French papers. He took Crédit Lyonnais to court because he felt the bank paid him too little for Adidas when he sold it back in the 1990s. This week, Pierre Estoup, one of the judges who ruled on the tribunal that paid him a massive compensation, was arrested on suspicion of fraud. He failed to reveal that he knew Tapie at the time and is accused of influencing the rest of the tribunal to pay Tapie the handsome sum.

30/05/2013 - IN THE world

Benedict XVI: Fashion Trendsetter

IN THE WORLD PAPERS - 30.05.13: International papers react to France's first same-sex wedding, violence spiralling out of control in Syria and the former Pope's trendsetting taste... in shoes.

30/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Vincent and Bruno make History

IN THE FRENCH PAPERS - 30/05/13: French papers focus on a new twist in the Bettencourt scandal, questions over how much the authorities knew about the suspected Islamist stabber and France's first legal same-sex wedding.

29/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Syria: is a war of words turning into an arms race?

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Weds. 29/05/13: International papers focus on a war of words over selling arms to Syria. The Guardian say Russia, Britain and France aren’t paving the way to a ceasefire like they say they are. Also, L’Orient le Jour says Hezbollah leader Nasrallah is playing with fire by intervening in the Syrian conflict. Asharq al-Awsat says he has ignited a sectarian fire in the region.