Steel industry: the nationalisation card

For the past two weeks, France has been fixated on the murders of three soldiers, three children and a teacher in the south-west. Debate has focused on the killer, his family, his support, as well as the police and intelligence work. Politicians have tried to look dignified, but are also trying benefit. So has Toulouse totally changed the campaign, or will it merely be a ripple? In any case, far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is surging in the polls. How high will he go?

The final slate of candidates for the French presidential election will soon be known. The Constitutional Council has until Friday to receive the 500 signatures from local officials, and until Monday to certify them. But for François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, the war is on, and the tactics seem clear: carpet bombing for Sarkozy who is pulling out new ideas almost everyday, and staying out of trouble for Hollande.