Copé rejects new leadership contest vote
Published: 28 Nov 2012 09:45 GMT+01:00 | Print version
Updated: 28 Nov 2012 09:45 GMT+01:00
France's right-wing opposition UMP leader Jean-François Copé on Wednesday rejected a proposal for an internal party vote on whether to rerun the leadership vote he won.
- UMP mulls referendum on new leadership vote (27 Nov 12)
- UMP heads for split as rivals dig in heels (27 Nov 12)
- Sarkozy seeks new UMP vote to end impasse (27 Nov 12)
Copé rejected demands for a fresh vote after the formal announcement that his rival for the leadership, Francois Fillon, had formed his own faction inside parliament.
The conditions for the formation of an internal party referendum had not been met, said Copé in a statement.
"The red line has been crossed and I am drawing the conclusions from that," he added after the formation of Fillon's parliamentary group was announced in the parliament's official proceedings.
"From now on, I am only going to be the main opponent of (French President) François Hollande."
Copé, an ally of former president Nicolas Sarkozy, had already on Tuesday brushed aside Sarkozy's suggestion — reported by several informed sources — for a fresh ballot.
"The time is not right in the heat of the moment, in the bitterness . . . to say we must vote again right away," Copé told French radio on Tuesday.
But Fillon, who served as prime minister under Sarkozy, struck back Tuesday after a meeting with his supporters.
They announced the formation of a new parliamentary faction, which would be dissolved as soon as a new vote was held.
Copé's statement on Wednesday however suggests that as far as he is concerned, the dispute is over and it is time to get on with the business of opposition.
Breakthough in hunt for serial arsonist in Brittany
For months the people of the tiny seaside hamlet of Larmor-Baden in Brittany have been living in fear as a serial arsonist has burned down properties at will. On Wednesday French police appeared to have made a breakthrough. READ () »
Second victim swept to death in French floods
Flash floods in south west France claimed their second victim on Wednesday when a 75-year-old man was swept away to his death in the raging waters. The flooded Catholic shrine of Lourdes was like 'a scene from a disaster movie' according to one hotel owner. READ () »
France maps out defence for war on mosquitos
As temperatures rise and the rains continue to fall, concerns in France have turned to the country’s surging mosquito population. A new interactive map looks set to give residents and holiday-makers a head start in avoiding those nasty mossie bites. READ () »
'Snake charmer' fatally bitten during viper demo
A reptile enthusiast died after being bitten by a viper during a demonstration in southern France, which was aimed to help audiences overcome their fear of snakes. The man died from a heart attack due to a rare allergy, his colleague told The Local. READ () »
Pink Panther jewel thief 'snared' in Paris
A suspected member of the notorious Pink Panther gang of international jewel thieves has been arrested near Paris, police sources told AFP on Wednesday. READ () »
Hermès vs Louis Vuitton: Brand wars turn ugly
Two of France's most famous luxury brands look set for a bitter court battle after deluxe bag maker Hermès accused the Louis Vuitton group LVMH of "historic fraud", as a long running bitter feud took a new twist on Wednesday. READ () »
Air France orders €7.2b worth of A350 planes
French airline company Air France confirmed on Wednesday a multi-billion euro order of Airbus's new A350 planes. The planes are not yet in service and only recently carried out a test flight (see video). READ () »
Paris launches manual on how to treat tourists
The days of the rude Paris waiter or shopkeeper may soon be over. As part of a new campaign, Paris tourism chiefs published a training manual this week aimed at teaching Parisians who come into contact with tourists how to offer them a better welcome. READ () »
Concerns mount as Lourdes flood waters rise
The historic Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes in south west France was evacuated on Tuesday after flash floods hit the area. Management at the shrine have told The Local they are growing increasingly concerned as waters continue to rise. READ () »
Why France needs a total ban on smacking kids
As a provocative new anti-smacking video campaign by the Fondation pour l'Enfance (Foundation for Childhood) causes a stir in France, the man behind the drive Dr. Gilles Lazimi tells The Local why France needs a law banning parents from smacking their kids. READ () »
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg&mode=resize&size=300x200)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
- 19/06 Dentist cut off own finger for insurance cash »
- 19/06 Nuclear cuts top Obama's Berlin speech »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 19/06 Murderer jailed for life 15 years after stabbing man »
- 19/06 MPs quash deal with US over tax evasion »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
- CPL Ireland - Frech IT Support- Galway
- Grafton Recruitment CZ - Project
- Headhunt International - French
- Ingénieur Test Navision/Java/Selenium
- Account Executive - Paris [Financial Services]
- Account Executive - Paris [Insurance]
- Buildings - Sales - Experienced Person (M/F)
- Director of Finance
- Senior Systems Engineer - EMEA
- VP RLC Sales EMEA & APAC
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.