1898 French legislative election

Uncommon card · No. 128923

Legislative elections were held in France on 8 and 22 May 1898. The government of Jules Méline, who had been prime minister since April 1896, had relied on the support of conservatives, contrary to the convention of republican concentration, according to which no government should rely on the support of monarchists and Bonapartists in the Chamber of Deputies if it could not rely on a republican majority. The elections were dominated by the Dreyfus affair, and saw several notable supporters of Dreyfus (Joseph Reinach, Jean Jaurès, Jules Guesde) lose their seats. Around twenty eight professed antisemites were also elected (six of whom were elected after campaigning under the "anti-juif" or "anti-Jew" label), including Édouard Drumont. Whilst the incumbent governing alliance led by Méline won more seats than any other faction, this victory was short-lived. Due to a combination of factors, such as the ongoing Dreyfus Affair, deputies within Méline's faction relying on support from Radical voters...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Giffault, Émile (18..-19..). Auteur du texte, Public domain