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Election Could Change France's Tone Toward Iran

With domestic politics dominating French thinking, Shahab Mossavat writes, a new man in the Elysée Palace could turn down the rhetorical heat on Iran. That may allow for dialogue under conditions more conducive to agreement.
France's Socialist party First Secretary Francois Hollande (L) arrives at the Elysee Palace for a meeting with leaders of the political parties of the National Assembly in Paris June 26, 2007.    REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer     (FRANCE)

The prospect of "Le Changement" — of a Socialist returning to the Elysée Palace after seventeen years — draws closer as France goes to the polls for a second time on Sunday [May 6, 2012].

Francois Hollande’s historic victory in the first round of France’s presidential elections, as well as the strong showing by the far-right Front National (FN), demonstrate that what lie closest to French hearts are domestic policy and the visceral issues of identity.

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