Good roundup of the conservative UMP party’s presidential primary process courtesy of Charles Bremner at the Times – including the latest challenge to Sarkozy in the form of Defence Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie.

Considering socialist candidate Ségolène Royal’s apparent foreign policy failures on her recent trip to the Middle East (more aftermath), a strong UMP showing on foreign matters – especially taking a hard line on defence and related issues (especially immigration, following France’s recent race-related violence) – could prove to be the area that tips the 50-50 split in public opinion in the UMP’s favour. After so many years of Chirac focussing largely on domestic affairs, is it time for a more Mitterrand-style stance for France, looking once again towards the wider world?