These two cartoons represent an interesting development in French politics, one that I did not expect to come so soon. The régions, newly empowered by last year's Raffarin amendement, have become a basis for electoral politics. Not quite the same thing as 'battleground states' in American politics, but it is a big change for French politicians to think geographically. More surprisingly, this shift in political focus is being taken by the left. Decentralization was more of an issue for the right. Raffarin's reforms gave more competencies to the regions. The Left has usually demanded strict centralization. Now they are using it to create bases of power.




Bubble: In order to create opposition, one must have authority.