Twilight of the French Socialists

It seems the effects of France's presidential election are still being felt in this week's parliamentary contest. Reinforcing the theory that the strong showing of right-leaning candidates like Jean-Marie Le Pen has severely demoralized the left, officials are reporting record low turnout for the first round of general elections. With many of the 577 local seats being contested by as many as 20 candidates, only the results of the runoff will be able to give a clue as to the final composition of new government. Consensus is forming, however, that the leftist parties are poised to suffer a dramatic reversal.

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