National Front to gain seats in French parliament if electoral reform goes ahead

The National Front could gain several seats in the French parliament if an electoral reform goes ahead which would make it easier for the centre-right to stay in government after 1998. The prospect of the extreme-right gaining ground has set the political dovecote aflutter, and worried MPs who are recalculating their likely majorities.

The plan came to light when the Prime Minister, Alain Juppe, confirmed a report that he was considering the reintroduction of some element of proportional representation in time for the 1998 elections, to "give a voice" to France's minority parties. While cynics suggested that the real reason was the centre-right's fear of being routed by the Socialists, another reason was also cited: the prospect that a close race between left and right in 1998 could leave a "hung" parliament in which the National Front held the balance of power.