French Election: The Shadow of the Dark Years

Chris Millington says we shouldn’t be surprised by the Front national’s show of strength in the recent French elections.

Marine Le Pen, Jean-Marie Le Pen and Bruno Gollnisch, May 1st 2010 at the Front National's rally in honour of Joan of Arc. By Marie-Lan NguyenOn May 6th, 2012 socialist candidate François Hollande defeated incumbent conservative president Nicolas Sarkozy in the second round run-off of the French presidential election. Hollande is the first socialist to be elected president since François Mitterrand won a second term in 1988.

To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.

Start my trial subscription now

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.