A warning and an invitation, to Europeans

On December 6, 2012, the Leader of France’s Left Front addressed a packed audience in the European Institute of University College, London on a progressive alternative to the human crises caused by today’s social relations, banking chicanery, political power and, against the background of another failed Kyoto, the far greater challenge of an adequate response to climate change.

The audit of a political campaign versus Marine Le Pen: Jean-Luc Melenchon in Henin-Beaumont

After a strong showing in the 2012 French Presidential election, Jean-Luc Melenchon took on Marine Le Pen in Henin-Beaumont, a former mining community near the northern town of Lille, in the French legislative elections held in the same year. These were his thoughts as expressed in his popular blog on coming third in the first round.

François Hollande and France: the big test

The new French president has consolidated his authority with a decisive win in the legislative elections. But the challenges he faces now get much steeper

French elections: what does normal stand for?

The vote for Hollande is not so much a radical desire for change as a possibly illusory desire to go back to the pre-crisis period. The socialists have meanwhile opened up a new approach to the economy. But 'racism from above' has led the way in this historic fight over what is normal 

Biopolitics, territories and signs of crisis in multinational network companies

There is still a solid social cushion in France if we compare it to other European countries. But the pressure for work-hour productivity – one of the highest in the world – oppresses generations of digital cognitive workers. 

François Hollande and France: the big deal

A new socialist president brings the promise of change to France and Europe, says Patrice de Beer.

Marlière across La Manche: a diary of the 2012 French presidential election

Charles de Gaulle once said that the French presidential election was “an encounter between the nation and a man” (sic). Big Charles may have been right in suggesting that this election is about personality politics. There is much more to it though. Through this election diary, I invite you to follow my journey into this historic European election: analysis of results, as well as personal thoughts on candidates, debates, the media, opinion polls and the “mood” of French voters.

Marine Le Pen, the radical right and French Islamophobia - Part II

Nicolas Lebourg continues (see part one) to explore how the Toulouse events contributed to shaping Marine Le Pen’s electoral strategy. While it is dubious that Islamophobia played the most decisive part in her latest presidential score, she placed it on the top of the political agenda for the second round.

France: towards a new right

The first round of France’s presidential election leaves the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in a tight corner. Its result also presages a longer struggle over the future shape of the country's political right, says Patrice de Beer.

Reinventing democracy in Europe

Ash Amin and Pep Subirós' June 2012 guest week on reinventing democracy in Europe.

Reclaiming democratic demands from the populists
JORDI VAQUER

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Can Europe make it? Editors


Rosemary Bechler is Editor of openDemocracy


David Krivanek is Editor of Can Europe make it?


Francesca E.S. Montemaggi is Associate Editor of Can Europe make it?

The media in Europe

From Murdoch and Berlusconi to the new Hungarian media law, the media is the first theme of our new Joining the dots series.

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