UMP hits electoral hump

Who will take over from Nicolas Sarkozy as chairman of the opposition UMP? At the time of writing, no one knows. Former Prime Minister François Fillon and General Secretary Jean-François Copé both claim victory after the party faithful voted on Sunday. Organisational glitches and allegations of ballot-rigging have turned the contest into a PR fiasco for the party. That's the focus for this look at the French press on Monday 19th November, 2012.

IN THE PAPERS

Le Figaro reports on the “Folle Soirée dans les deux QG” (“Crazy evening at the two campaign headquarters”)

Le Parisien-Aujourd’hui-en-France headlines “Incroyable suspens à l’UMP” (“Incredible suspense for the UMP”) and "Le vote était très mal organisé" (“The vote was very badly organised”)

Les Echos argues the Fillon-Copé clash shows there is no obvious leader for the UMP and Nicolas Sarkozy is therefore the ‘real winner’.

Le Figaro leads: "Gaza serre les rangs dans la résistance et l'esprit de revanche" ("Gaza closes ranks in resistance …")

And Le Parisien-Aujourd’hui-en-France says: "À Gaza, la peur … et la fierté” (“Palestinians are torn between fear and pride")

10/03/2010 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

Sarkozy and Bruni rumoured to be having affairs

Today we look at Joe Biden’s trip to Israel, the aftermath of Togo’s elections as well as rumours that Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni are both having affairs! Sarkozy is said to be romancing Ecology Minister Chantal Jouanno while Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is said to be involved with award-winning singer Benjamin Biolay. WEDNESDAY, 10th MARCH, 2010

10/03/2010 - FRENCH PRESS REVIEW

The reform “that is muzzling the justice system”

Libération leads this morning with the French Government’s bid to reform the justice system. The paper is critical of the proposed abolition of the investigative judge’s role in the system. WEDNESDAY, 10th MARCH, 2010

09/03/2010 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

L.A. Times asks: “The Oscars telecast: Worse than ever?”

Patrick Goldstein writing for the L.A. Times was not too impressed with this year’s Oscars ceremony as we see in today’s international press review. Also covered – the massacre in Nigeria, the ongoing Mohammed cartoon controversy and space-age squirrels! TUESDAY, 9th MARCH, 2010

09/03/2010 - FRENCH PRESS REVIEW

Pigs attack fast-food restaurant in protest against halal menu!

In a suburb of Lyon yesterday, 40 right-wing demonstrators broke into a “Quick” fast-food restaurant wearing pig masks to protest against the chain serving halal burgers. TUESDAY, 9th MARCH, 2010