France votes to return to the barricades in Europe

Commentary feature. The battle for France has a couple of weeks to run. After that, the battle for Europe will begin. Both Nicolas Sarkozy and his challenger in the French presidential election, François Hollande, are promising to save the 'French exception' by radically changing the direction of the European Union.

This election has already revealed a deep French anxiety about globalisation, austerity and national identity to which all the candidates pandered to. That will be reflected in France’s behaviour in Europe.

ESO: Background information: French presidential election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2012/

ESO: Background information: First Round Results, 22 April 2012: Hollande steals poll march on Sarkozy http://www.europeansources.info/record/hollande-steals-poll-march-on-sarkozy-le-pen-fille-delivers-rights-big-surprise-sarkozy-seeks-to-preserve-our-way-of-life-le-pen-surge-poses-challenge/

EurActiv, 3.5.12: Hollande seen as less influential in Brussels than Sarkozy: Poll http://www.euractiv.com/elections/poll-french-believe-hollande-influential-brussels-news-512449

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