§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union as amended at Nice, they believe M Le Pen's success in the first round of the French presidential election represents a clear risk of a serious breach of the principles set out in Article 6. [HL4001]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe French people have rejected M Le Pen's extremist politics with his comprehensive defeat by President Chirac in the second round of the presidential elections. Article 7(1) of the TEU as amended at Nice refers to "a clear risk of a serious breach by aMember State." Application of Article 7(1) is not appropriate in these circumstances.