Nicolas Sarkozy, Le Pen, and the real story behind the last French Presidential election.
Populism, Prejudice and the Rise of the Extremes.  Tikkun  Magazine The Network of Spiritual Progressives

In the buildup to the Iraq War, France cuts loose, and Europe follows:

 http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/01/25/europe/index.html

Europe's Declaration of Independance, Part II:

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/02/13/europe/index.html

Xenophobic National Front leader makes it to the French Presidential final:

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2002/04/24/le_pen/index.html

Et enfin, un petit Rebond dans Libé sur l'Affaire Siné (a Gallic rant, for the lovers of freedom fries):

http://www.liberation.fr/tribune/010185844-sine-vu-des-usa