The UMP Contest

Xavier Bertrand wants to replace Christian Jacob, Copé's right-hand man, as head of the UMP group in the AN. This will be the first skirmish in the war between Copé and Fillon. A quick glance at the line-up of forces on either side is revealing: Fillon's lot is the more savory of the two by a long shot. It will be interesting to see how the folks listed by Le Monde as "aribters" play their hands. Juppé, Baroin, Lemaire, Alliot-Marie, Accoyer, Hortefeux: some nursing ambitions, others grudges, still others both. One could write a novel.