The Economic Underpinnings of French Discontent

http://europeaninstitute.org/index.php/273-european-affairs/ea-december-2015/2112-the-economic-underpinnings-of-french-discontent

The Economic Underpinnings of French Discontent     By Paul Horne, International Market Economist, Paris

French public reaction to the jihadist massacre in Paris on Black Friday, November 13th , as well as growing frustration with the political establishment’s inability to energize the economy and job creation, contributed to the Front National’s (FN) strong showing in the first round of regional elections on December 6th. Based on a 50% participation rate in the regions, recently consolidated from 21 to 13 by the Socialist government, the FN could technically claim to be France’s largest political party. It won 28% of the vote, vs. 27% for the center-right Republicans and 23% for the governing Socialist Party, its lowest score in many years.http://europeaninstitute.org/index.php/273-european-affairs/ea-december-2015/2112-the-economic-underpinnings-of-french-discontent