For the first time in a major European country, the extreme right is close to 20 percent. It's happened in medium-sized countries like Austria, but not in one of the big three. It's in a way a crisis of democracy. It's really bad news, not only for France, but for Europe and democracy in Europe.

Germany is paralyzed at the worst time for European diplomacy, ... were looking for a stronger, more united, cooperative Europe. Obviously, they are not going to have it.

I don't think that it is impossible to carry out reform in France. The real crisis is a crisis of confidence.

Chirac is saying: France is adapting. We are applying the same strategic thought but to deeply different circumstances.

In 1968, after 30 years of full employment and economic growth, students were bored to death. Today, after 20 years of unemployment, the students of 2006 are looking for security.

That gives the possibility of extending the range but also of carrying out something other that a massive strategic strike.

It looks like '68. It smells like '68. It sounds like '68. But it's not.

This is not a triumph for Chirac. People didn't go to vote.

President Chirac has told him to back down as he was leading the country to the wall. He tried to convince himself he could be France's Margaret Thatcher, but forgot he was only the number two.

The real winner so far has been the Socialist Party. They have found a cause to fight for and rally around.