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French elections 2012

Battle begins for control of France's parliament
21/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Battle begins for control of France's parliament

Campaigning for France's parliamentary elections officially begins Monday in what is expected to be a fierce battle between left and right. Without a majority in the lower house, President Hollande will struggle to deliver on his campaign promises.
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New French foreign minister faces baptism of fire
18/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

New French foreign minister faces baptism of fire

Almost three decades after becoming France’s youngest-ever prime minister, Laurent Fabius (left) returned to government this week as the new French foreign minister. With Syria, Iran and Afghanistan high on the agenda, Fabius faces a baptism of fire.
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French government: Who's in and who's out?
17/05/2012 - France 2012

French government: Who's in and who's out?

We take a look at the face of France's new government, not only those involved but also those who are not, such as Socialist party leader Martine Aubry. We also take a closer look at France's new leader. What kind of man is François Hollande? And caught between his campaign promises and the harsh realities of France and of the world, how will he act?
French Presidency: A break with the past?
17/05/2012 - POLITICS

French Presidency: A break with the past?

It was a week of handovers. On Tuesday, France's first Socialist president in 17 years made his way up the red carpet and into the history books, becoming only the second Socialist since 1958 to take up residence at the Élysée palace.
Hollande’s new Socialist cabinet in numbers
17/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Hollande’s new Socialist cabinet in numbers

French President François Hollande's new 34-member cabinet has been lauded for having 17 women ministers, the same number as men. Here's a look at some of the other eye-catching figures in France’s freshly appointed ministerial club.
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New Socialist cabinet takes power in France
17/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

New Socialist cabinet takes power in France

The members of French President François Hollande's new cabinet were announced on Wednesday, including Pierre Moscovici as finance minister and former premier Laurent Fabius (pictured) as the minister of foreign affairs.
World ponders Hollande's role on international stage
16/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

World ponders Hollande's role on international stage

Moments after his first encounter with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, France’s new president, François Hollande, was already being sized up by the international press.
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Ayrault takes over as new French prime minister
16/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Ayrault takes over as new French prime minister

Jean-Marc Ayrault (right), the Socialist Party's parliamentary leader and a longtime ally of France's new president, officially took over from François Fillon (left) as prime minister during a swearing-in ceremony in Paris on Wednesday.
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'Le Bling-bling, c'est fini'
16/05/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Le Bling-bling, c'est fini'

The French press pass their first verdict on their new president - and predict the line-up of his government.
Lightning strikes Hollande's plane on first official trip
15/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Lightning strikes Hollande's plane on first official trip

Hours after being sworn in as the new French president on Tuesday, François Hollande's trip to Berlin for talks with his German counterpart was briefly delayed when his plane was forced to turn back after being struck by lightning.
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