The Observer view on the forthcoming French elections | Observer editorial
by Observer editorial from on (#5VV2H)
With seven leftwing Elysee hopefuls in the running, next time the left might win over voters by shunning factionalism
France's presidential election is still two months away and the most likely winner, according to opinion polls, the incumbent, Emmanuel Macron, has yet to declare his candidacy. Yet one result already appears certain: the vote will be another, perhaps terminal, disaster for the once-dominant Socialist party and, more broadly, the French left.
Important lessons may be drawn from this impending failure by other European progressive, social democratic parties and also by Labour in Britain. The re-election victory in Portugal last week of Antonio Costa's Socialists, who improved on their 2019 performance, demonstrated it is still possible for the centre-left to win, govern and win again.
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