The French elections of 2002 provided an opportunity to assess the political development of the regime, and in particular developments within the complex phenomenon of French presidentialism within a party system. In this thorough analysis, John Gaffney looks at the institutional, political and electoral 'moments' of 2002, which saw both presidential and legislative elections and a major upheaval in the political life of France. Bringing together a range of scholars, the volume includes contributions from historians, political scientists, economists, cultural studies experts and media experts to offer a thorough and textured analysis of French politics.