The Presidential and Legislative Election Campaigns of 2002: A Strange Play in Four Acts

Alistair Cole

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

At one level, the 2002 electoral series can be interpreted as a return to presidentialism as the key organising principle of the Fifth Republic, albeit by a circuitous route. The legislative election is dependent upon the decisive presidential election. The 2002 series of elections demonstrate without any doubt the importance of election campaigns, especially in the highly personalised contest for the presidency. Chirac's political skill was demonstrated through his sensitivity to this changing political environment. Jacques Gerstle provides with a useful comparative overview of presidential election campaigns in the Fifth Republic. The underlying legitimacy of the system is shaped by the choices made by all key actors in favour of the presidential election as the decisive election in the Fifth Republic. The 2002 electoral series ended with a return to politics as normal, powerfully assisted by the second-ballot electoral system which, operated in a classic majoritarian manner.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe French Presidential and Legislative Elections of 2002
EditorsJohn Gaffney
PublisherAshgate Publishing
Chapter3
Pages34-56
Number of pages23
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781351146722
ISBN (Print)9780815397755, 9781138622722
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004

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