French political parties are staging America-style primaries
 

How Nice
http://cdn.static-economist.com/site...119_EUP504.jpg

(The first time, both mainstream
parties of the left
and centre-right in France
are holding primaries
to select their nominees
for next year’s
presidential election.
In the past, French parties
tended to agree on
candidates behind
closed doors,
or after a narrow
vote among members.
Sometimes, unresolved
rivalry led candidates
from the same political
family to run anyway,
splitting the vote.
This time, a new system
is in place.
On November 20th and 27th,
the centre-right Republicans
hold their first election
open to any supporter
who pays €2 ($2.15)
and signs a charter
of centre-right values.
The Socialist Party follows
with its two-round
primary on January
22nd and 29th.)


http://www.economist.com/blogs/econo...styleprimaries