Chirac ne les lira pas....

   Is France Ready to Elect a Woman?

PARIS, April 6  Can this woman save France?

Can Ségolène Royal, the politician with the elegant profile and stratospheric poll ratings, lead the Socialists to victory in next year's presidential election?

In the confusion that has gripped France in recent months, with immigrant youth riots followed by huge protests turned violent, Ms. Royal, 52, is the only politician who looks good.

On Thursday, she graced the cover of four French magazines. "The Mystery Royal," announced Le Point, while Le Nouvel Observateur explored "What Is in Her Head?" VSD, which covers entertainment and news, asked, "President Ségolène: Is She Ready?".....la suite

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Is France ready to be led by a woman?

 Can this woman save France? Can Ségolène Royal, the politician with the elegant profile and stratospheric poll ratings, drive the Socialists to victory in next year's presidential election?

Certainly, in the political confusion that has gripped France in recent months - riots by immigrant youths followed by massive protests that turned violent - Royal, 52, is the only politician who looks good these days.......
By Elaine Sciolino                                               The New York Times  FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2006

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Support could sweep mother of four French presidency

AMID widespread disillusionment with the president, Jacques Chirac, and his embattled prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, over their failed attempt to impose a controversial youth employment law, the French media yesterday turned the spotlight on the politician many now consider their country's brightest hope for a better future - Ségolène Royal.

Four out of France's five influential weekly news magazines put the photogenic Socialist MP, former minister and mother of four on their covers yesterday, as the latest opinion poll showed she is the voters' most popular choice as her party's candidate for next year's presidential elections......la suite

SUSAN BELL IN PARIS

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luxembourg

"S. Royal séduit les medias, mais court le risque de trop s'exposer"..

Ségolène Royal, qui a les faveurs des médias, offre une image consensuelle et tire profit du besoin de la vie politique d'être »réenchantée», mais à trop s'exposer, elle risque aussi de perdre ses atouts, préviennent sociologues et experts.

Ségolène Royal vient de faire la Une de quatre hebdomadaires et multiplie les apparitions à la télévision: le 20H00 de TF1 le 6 avril, le Grand Journal de Canal+ le 11.

Mais elle »n'est pas un phénomène purement médiatique», estime Bertrand Delais, chroniqueur politique et coréalisateur du documentaire »Pouvoir et télévision».

»Les médias sont le plus fréquemment révélateurs de ce qui se passe de manière latente. Or la grande force de Ségolène Royal, c'est la crise de l'expertise», ajoute-t-il. »Elle apparaît comme quelqu'un qui agit (elle est présidente de région). Elle ne dit pas ce qu'on va faire, elle fait»......la suite