Deja vu

摘要

When the French voted in 2000 to shorten their presidential term from seven years to five, the result was to accelerate the rhythm of political life. The next presidential election is not due until 2017, but the race is already under way, the more so after two party-leadership elections this weekend. On November 29th Nicolas Sar-kozy, who was president in 2007-12, was elected head of the centre-right ump. The next day, Marine Le Pen was re-elected leader of the populist National Front. The contours of the next presidential contest are beginning to take shape.