FRANCE: Ségolène Royal, the leading socialist candidate for the presidency of France, finally revealed her European policy yesterday.
Ms Royal's European vision, as conveyed in a prepared speech and brief press conference, contrasts sharply with that of Nicolas Sarkozy, the leading right-wing candidate.
Both politicians say Europe is in crisis since France and the Netherlands rejected the constitutional treaty last year. But Ms Royal believes Europe must prove to its citizens that it can promote peace, protect the environment and discourage outsourcing, while Mr Sarkozy, in his main European speech five weeks ago, stressed technical measures to make the union function better.
Saying the constitutional treaty is "null and void", Ms Royal yesterday discounted Mr Sarkozy's proposal for an urgent "mini-treaty" to enact institutional reforms.
She would instead summon a convention under the French EU presidency in 2008 "to draft the text on institutional reform which would be presented to the peoples [ of Europe] on the same day, according to the procedure chosen by each country".
The candidates differ on France - and Europe's - attitude towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US. Ms Royal yesterday advocated resuming EU aid to the Palestinian Authority, and proposed an international peace conference on the Middle East, similar to the 1991 Madrid conference.
Mr Sarkozy has visited Israel several times, but never the Palestinian territories. He expressed strong support for Israel during a recent trip to the United States.
Explaining why it was important to restore European aid to the Palestinians "immediately", Ms Royal said: "If despair takes root, so will civil war. It is irresponsible to count on [ civil war] to eliminate Hamas."
On a visit to Washington last month, Mr Sarkozy created a furore in France by criticising French "arrogance" in opposing the US invasion of Iraq. Ms Royal yesterday said Europe's relations with the US need to be more balanced.
"The world needs Europe," Ms Royal continued, because it is "the only peaceful power capable of representing an alternative to American hyper-power". Though "dialogue with the US may be easier" after the Bush administration, "it is in the nature of a lone power with no counterweight to take unilateral decisions and to be tempted by the use of force".
Ms Royal said Europe must continue diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, but noted that "the diplomatic path with Iran also relies on a recognition of the role of this country in the region".
Mr Sarkozy told Jewish leaders in the US that stopping the Iranian nuclear programme was a "top priority" and that military means could not be ruled out.
Ms Royal made concrete proposals in two areas ignored by Mr Sarkozy: ecology and social policy. Ms Royal wants tax breaks for renewable energy, and would like to "reorient" the Common Agricultural Policy, which she accused of "accelerating the desertification [ of Europe]". She said Europeans should not compete economically within the union through fiscal policy.
Mr Sarkozy opposes Turkish accession. Ms Royal was less categorical. "The process has started. It will end with a [ French] referendum," she said. "A certain number of conditions must be met . . . In the meantime, a certain number of guarantees will have to be provided." Though she stressed the importance of "not preaching" at or "brutalising" Turkey, Ms Royal said it was "obvious that if Turkey is to enter the EU one day, she will have to recognise the Armenian genocide".