Socialists control French Senate for first time

02/10/11 09:39 CET

world news

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In a blow to President Nicholas Sarkozy’s conservative UMP, the upper chamber of the French parliament has elected a socialist speaker.

Jean-Pierre Bel’s victory comes a week after the left won a majority of seats in the Senate for the first time in modern French history.

It comes seven months ahead of Presidential elections.

More about: France, French politics, Socialist party

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