Why winning the French presidential election could be a poisoned chalice

There are legislative elections in France in June 2017 soon after the Presidential Elections in April / May 2017.

Behind the scenes there are feverish negotiations going on over who will stand in the 577 constituencies in June’s assembly election. In a system where political parties are weak and prone to fragmentation, the value of the support of a potentially victorious presidential candidate is a powerful lever.

By the same token, experience suggests that defeated presidential candidates do not make good rallying points for their parties when the parliamentary vote rolls around.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: French elections: The demolition game heats up http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-elections-the-demolition-game-heats-up/

ESO: Key source: France Presidential Election 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2017/

ESO: Key source: French legislative election, 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-legislative-election-2017/

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