Marlière Across La Manche

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”

- Bertrand Russell

4 May: I was expecting to bump into Doris Lessing

Philippe Marlière 4 May 2012

As the election campaign ends, the last instalment of Marlière Across La Manche foresees interesting but uncertain times for France and Europe.

3rd May: Nicolas Montana vs. François Mitterrand

Philippe Marlière 3 May 2012

In today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche, our author witnesses a cornered rabbit and celebrates a man of 'quiet strength'.

2 May: May Day gate-crashing

Philippe Marlière 2 May 2012

Workers' rights on the campaign trail: today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche on the (mis)appropriation of May Day

1 May: For Hollande, cracking jokes is no laughing matter

Philippe Marlière 1 May 2012

In today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche, City analysts are crying wolf at the “Mr.Normal” of French politics. How droll

30 April: Which infamy, Mr.President?

Philippe Marlière 30 April 2012

Sorting out the men from the boys. Today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche

29 April: Muammar Gaddafi’s ghost bites back

Philippe Marlière 29 April 2012

Today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche continues with a short survey of media coverage of the French elections from good to terrible, with a few self-publicists thrown into the mix.

28 April: Which Europe?

Philippe Marlière 28 April 2012

Europe has featured in most candidates’ speeches and proposals. But which one? Today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche

26 April: Mass rallies are back

Philippe Marlière 26 April 2012

Despite previous predictions of voter apathy and dull campaigns, we are witnessing a real presidential race — with powerful oratory and a high turnout at rallies for France in 2012. Today’s instalment of Marlière Across La Manche

25 April: Marshall Pétain puts in a cameo appearance

Philippe Marlière 25 April 2012

The rapprochement of the traditional right with its extreme is progressing fast, with the “de-demonisation” of the Front Nationale, accompanied by a raid on past techniques of the far right, going back at least as far as Marshall Pétain. See Marlière across La Manche

24 April: What will Marine Le Pen’s voters do?

Philippe Marlière 24 April 2012

The president has confessed that if he had not matched Le Pen’s hard-right rhetoric, he would by now find himself in an even more desperate position. But could the strategy of his advisor, Patrick Buisson, be arithmetically flawed? Our diarist continues his coverage in Marlière Across La Manche.

23 April: Nicolas Sarkozy fights for his political life

Philippe Marlière 23 April 2012

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. In Marlière across La Manche 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.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie is a regular contributor to 50.50

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

A new Europe can only come from the bottom up
Etienne Balibar

A social Europe must be a political Europe
Bo Stråth

As Europe is provincialized: a reply to Etienne Balibar
Sandro Mezzadra

European debate

A republican call for a basic income
Daniel Raventos and Julie Wark

Nuclear non-proliferation

Women and the Arab Spring

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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Mary Kaldor on Human security

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