FRANCE: A Schizophrenic Campaign

Despite center-right warnings, the voters still lean left

With elections only a month away, France's bleak wintry landscape was suddenly abloom with bright billboards last week. The most striking campaign poster was one showing a sturdy tree with a caption calling for CONFIDENCE IN BARRE. The tree referred to a celebrated comparison made by Premier Raymond Barre, who had likened his efforts to boost the French economy to nurturing a tree. "Obstinately but durably, the tree grows little by little," Barre assured French voters. On the other hand, Socialism and Communism blow in like a "typhoon," wreaking havoc in the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!