It would be wrong to see last Thursday's massively successful protest actions in France as distant and exotic, of no particular relevance to us here in Canada. With the economic meltdown heralding a new political era, and with most of the country's Left and social movements still stunned and disoriented following their embrace of the misguided and failed Liberal-led coalition plan, the French experience is instructive and inspiring.

I left Montreal on Sunday evening feeling positively giddy about the founding convention of the Québec solidaire party (PQS), a new left-wing party that enters the fray with more than 4,000 members and strong roots in Quebec's wide array of social movements and Left political traditions.

I was impressed by the tone of the event — both serious and playful at the same time — and moved by the broader significance of what had taken place.

I have been on the verge of crying, for much of the afternoon and evening, watching the results come in from the French presidential elections.

This is a horrible day. The only happy note is the breakthrough for two radical-left candidates — Olivier Besancenot of the Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire and Arlette Laguiller of Lutte Ouvrière — who together took more than 10 per cent of the vote.

Emotion plays some role in politics.

(First published February 8, 2006:) I left Montreal on Sunday evening feeling positively giddy about the founding convention of the Québec solidaire party (PQS), a new left-wing party that enters the fray with more than 4,000 members and strong roots in Quebec's wide array of social movements and Left political traditions.

I was impressed by the tone of the event — both serious and playful at the same time — and moved by the broader significance of what had taken place.