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French elections 2012

Are French centrists losing their middle ground?
14/05/2012 - FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Are French centrists losing their middle ground?

French centrist figurehead François Bayrou has launched a fresh appeal to moderate voters ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections in June. But for the political middle ground in France, support seems to be dwindling.
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Sarkozy government resigns ahead of power handover
10/05/2012 - FRANCE

Sarkozy government resigns ahead of power handover

The government of outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy stepped down on Thursday ahead of the inauguration of president-elect François Hollande on May 15. Hollande is due to reveal the new government line up once he enters office.
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Sarkozy allies mull risky entente with far right
16/05/2012 - FRANCE

Sarkozy allies mull risky entente with far right

With France's Socialist Party tipped to wrestle away their parliamentary majority in June, the party of outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy, the Union for a Popular Movement, has some lawmakers contemplating a taboo liaison with the far right.
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Greece - the first thorn in Hollande's side
10/05/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Greece - the first thorn in Hollande's side

Has Greece already ruined François Hollande's chances of building a European policy based around growth? And is the right-wing UMP party going to fall apart in the upcoming parliamentary elections?
Waiting for Hollande: French foreign policy beyond Europe's borders (part 2)
09/05/2012 - THE DEBATE

Waiting for Hollande: French foreign policy beyond Europe's borders (part 2)

He won’t be untested on the world stage for long. No sooner will François Hollande be sworn in than he will jet off to Berlin, Washington, and Chicago for sit-downs and summits. On foreign policy, French presidents always seem to grapple with two shadows – that of their immediate predecessor and that of Fifth Republic founder Charles de Gaulle.
Waiting for Hollande: French foreign policy beyond Europe's borders
09/05/2012 - THE DEBATE

Waiting for Hollande: French foreign policy beyond Europe's borders

He won’t be untested on the world stage for long. No sooner will François Hollande be sworn in that he will jet off to Berlin, Washington, and Chicago for sit-downs and summits. On foreign policy, French presidents always seem to grapple with two shadows – that of their immediate predecessor and that of Fifth Republic founder Charles de Gaulle.
François Hollande: A 'normal' president?
09/05/2012 - POLITICS

François Hollande: A 'normal' president?

François Hollande is France's new leader; only the second Socialist president since 1958. But while Hollande has won the mother of all French political battles, he has not won the war. Both the Socialists and Conservatives are gearing up for crucial parliamentary elections in June. They will shape the Hollande presidency by deciding whether he will have a majority to implement his policies or not.
Presidential Election: a gracious exit for Sarkozy
09/05/2012 - France 2012

Presidential Election: a gracious exit for Sarkozy

France has a new president, only the second Socialist since 1958. A year after launching what seemed at the time like a crazy bid to win the presidency, François Hollande has beaten the odds, his Socialist rivals and ousted Nicolas Sarkozy from the Elysée palace. He will officially take power on May 15th. Until then, Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sorely criticised for appearing with the rich and famous at the start of his mandate, is trying to exit the stage graciously.
François Hollande: portrait of a president
09/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

François Hollande: portrait of a president

France has elected a left-wing president. It's goodbye to "bling bling" and hello to "Mr. Normal". The Socialist François Hollande promises to boost growth instead of making more cuts. Nicolas Sarkozy, meanwhile, will pack his bags and make way for Hollande at the Elysée Palace next week.
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Austerity kicked into touch?
09/05/2012 - IN THE PAPERS NATIONAL

Austerity kicked into touch?

With François Hollande about to take power here in France then, and the radical left trying to form a government in Greece - is this the end for pan-European austerity? We also look at the upcoming parliamentary elections - and the possible collapse of the UMP.
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