Posted on 04/21/2002 6:50:43 PM PDT by summer
Result reflects Europe-wide shift to the right
By Our International Staff
Published: April 21 2002 22:39 | Last Updated: April 21 2002 23:57
The defeat of Lionel Jospin, the Socialist prime minister, by Jean-Marie Le Pen of the extreme right-wing National Front provoked strong reactions outside France.
Although Mr Le Pen is almost certain to be defeated by Jacques Chirac in the second round of voting, on May 5, his surprisingly strong performance has been taken as part of a shift to the right in Europe.
In Washington, political analysts suggested the rise of the far-right in France would reinforce the perception that Europe was moving away from the US on issues such as immigration and religious tolerance. US officials have already voiced concerns over the recent wave of anti-Semitic attacks in France, and the deep split between the European and US reaction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ivo Daalder, director for European affairs in the Clinton White House, said: "My sense is that this isn't going to be seen as something French, but something more European. It's deeply worrisome about what it means for European politics domestically and in foreign policy with regard to questions about Africa, the Middle East and Muslims in general.
"There is going to be a l ot of soul-searching."
In Germany, France's most important partner in Europe, government officials declined to comment publicly on the election outcome. Privately, however, there was widespread astonishment and fear of what it might mean for relations between the two countries.
"I see it as a catastrophe," said Rudolf von Thadden, the German government's special co-ordinator for Franco-German relations. "In a stable democracy, there should be the alternatives of right and left. But when the only options are the right and the extreme right, then something is very seriously wrong."
José María Rida, a Spanish diplomat, said the events of September 11, and the reaction in the US, have made it more acceptable to voice anti-Arab sentiments in France, and have therefore given Mr Le Pen more freedom to harden his campaign against immigration from North Africa.
But some welcomed the result. The Italian centre-right government of Silvio Berlusconi, prime minister, is expected to hail the result as a significant defeat for the French left. It is also likely to argue that Mr Jospin's defeat undermines leftwing parties in Italy and the rest of the Europe.
The Downing Street office of UK prime minister Tony Blair and the Foreign Office declined to comment.
Report by Richard Wolffe in Washington, James Blitz in Rome, Haig Simonian in Berlin, Leslie Crawford in Madrid and Christopher Adams in London
Aww too bad.... LMAO at this Euro-weenie.
Looks like the press in Europe is as bad as the US. Yes, it is always about race. Gimme a break.
One nuclear bomb in a US city and our reaction will make that of the Europeans and LePen look like moderation.
I don't understand this comment at all. If Europe moved right, it would be more like the US.
Maybe they are associating the far right with anti-semitism, which could be true, but the leftists in Europe are very vocal in their disdain for Israel.
Well, now I'm confused. How can the defeat of a socialist be construed as a defeat of the right by the "extreme right"? Does being politically "right" or "left" have a different connotation in Euro-land? (OTOH I know we are right, and that our idealogical opponents will be left in the ash heap of history)
This guy says the right turn will take Europe FARTHER AWAY FROM THE USA AND ITS POSITION!
What planet does this author live on? There is rejoicing over this in the White House even as we speak, next thing you know M. LePen will be invited to the Ranch.
This is what could bring the US and Europe back together for a good crusade against Islam!
And with Israel and India aboard.
On second thought, I HAVE to be right because the Eurotrash, Euroweenies and Eurolefties that have been in control there for 57 years...have separated us so far that ANYTHING, including M. LePen, will bring us closer together.
I think you must be on steroids.
The Third Way globalist intervention was killed in Kosovo. Yugoslavian resistance stuck a stake in its heart.
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