While Mr Jospin, ex-Trotskyist turned pragmatist, was prime minister, from 1997 until May this year, the struggle was hidden.

ECONOMIST: France's Socialists

As prime minister between 1997 and 2002 Lionel Jospin, himself an ex-Trotskyist, privatised more assets than any of his right-wing predecessors.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne