- FRANCE 24

08/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

The battle of the populists

It's the row in Parliament that's on all France's front pages - yesterday the whole government walked out for the first time in a century, after a Socialist MP effectively accused the interior minister of Nazism.

07/02/2012 - THE DEBATE

Sarkozy and the far-right (part 2)

The focus of the French election campaign suddenly shifts from the economy to racism and national identity. But was it a wise move on the part of the outgoing president to back his interior minister’s controversial remarks on the relative values of civilisations?

07/02/2012 - THE DEBATE

Sarkozy and the far-right

07/02/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Claude Guéant, the man behind the controversy

French Interior minister Claude Guéant has sparked controversy yet again with his recent comment that "not all civilisations are of equal value". Meanwhile, in these times of austerity, French taxpayers want to know where their money is going. Left-wing MP René Dosière has made it his mission to find out. Finally, racy posters for Jean Dujardin’s latest film have just been banned in France. There are fears that the scandal could derail the actor’s Oscar hopes.

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08/02/2012 - FRENCH POLITICS

Ruling party storms out of parliament over 'Nazi' slur

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative UMP party stormed out of parliament Tuesday after a Socialist MP accused Interior Minister Claude Guéant (pictured) of reviving Nazi ideology with a comment about not all civilisations being equal.

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06/02/2012 - CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

'I don't regret anything I said'

In today's Campaign Chronicles, we look at reactions from the press and politicians to Interior Minister Claude Guéant's latest controversial remark - that not all civilisations are equal.

03/02/2012 - CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

UMP: desperately seeking a candidate

The ruling UMP shows its mettle, even as the grass-roots face the cold shoulder in the wintry weather. Meanwhile, the far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, wants to be treated like any other party...as well as wanting special treatment. And we meet a scientist who fears that changes to the funding of research risk causing a brain-drain.

03/02/2012 - CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Fillon defends Sarkozy's time in office

Last night's guest on prime time French TV was Prime Minister François Fillon, Nicolas Sarkozy's right-hand man. The French president has still not declared himself a candidate in this spring's presidential election. On air, Fillon managed to do a balancing act of defending Sarkozy's time in office, without offering a political platform for the future.

01/02/2012 - POLITICS

French presidential election: Bye-bye Mr President?

Is it all over for Nicolas Sarkozy? His rivals are almost certain he is living his last weeks in the Elysée palace. Even some of his fellow conservatives have serious doubts. Only the president is convinced he can be like Bill Clinton - the comeback kid. So does he still have a chance of being re-elected?

01/02/2012 - FRANCE 2012

Presidential election: is Sarkozy doomed?

Is it a done deal? Has Nicolas Sarkozy already lost the election? The outgoing president, who has still not confirmed his re-election bid, is trailing in the polls. Even his handpicked prime minister allegedly only gives him a 20% chance of being re-elected. Can he still make a comeback, or is already too late?