Enthusiasm for EU turns to cynicism
By Ben Hall in Lille

Published: June 1 2009 19:12 | Last updated: June 2 2009 08:58

French politicians – like their counterparts elsewhere – are usually keen to get television airtime. But things are different for the European parliamentary elections. The only television debate is an unusually last-minute affair on Thursday – three days before voters go to the polls.

The reluctance of the parties to debate during the campaign reflects how French enthusiasm for Europe has soured into cynicism and indifference in the past decade.

“I’m going to vote because it’s my children’s future,â€