The French right, which has always been exotically odd by European standards, is becoming more conventional. On the other hand, the French left, which for so long defined the European socialist mainstream, is now veering towards national exceptionalism.

That, at least, is a crude summary of the views held by parliamentary deputies – from the ruling UMP party and the opposition Socialist party – reflected in a report published today.* The study, conducted by Telos, an online think-tank, and Sciences Po university in Paris, suggests that in next year’s presidential and parliamentary elections French voters are likely to be presented with a stark ideological choice.