One way in which life in France differs from America: in France, elections are always around the corner.

Elections for the European Parliament will be held in June. They are the high point for 2009 on the French electoral calendar. Both labor and conservatives have begun a get-out-the-vote drive to boost participation. The elections occur simultaneously throughout the European Union.

Political figures who elsewhere (such as the United States) would be viewed as marginal or as has-beens command significant attention and press coverage in France.

In France, a few ministers in prime minister Fillon's administration have volunteered as conservative party standard bearers. Michael Barnier has a long history in politics and as European Commissioner. At his side stands Rachida Dati, the justice minister who incessantly draws attention, not always flattering, and who has been considered in trouble politically for a long while, made headlines last week when she appeared to know nothing of the subject, and joked about her ignorance; subsequent explanation claims that the flub was itself a joke.

The European Parliament has also offered a forum or tribune to leaders of the losing party in national elections. Former president Giscard d'Estaing led the creation of a constitution for the European Union, rejected by voters in France (and the Netherlands). Former minister Rocard may have achieved a fuller and longer-lasting record at the European level than during his tenure as French prime minister.

Labor seems to have trouble finding its voice in the current campaign. This is surprising and disappointing, given that the current socialist party chair, Martine Aubry, is the daughter of Jacques Delors, who presided the European Commission for two terms, a feat unmatched before or since.