Ahead of next month's regional elections, allegations about a French-African Muslim candidate's criminal record is raising questions about whether France offers a level playing field for ethnic minorities. Ali Soumaré, the number one Socialist party candidate in the Val d'Oise suburb outside of Paris, says he is the victim of slander. Ruling party figures, notably Mayor of Franconville Francis Delattre, have alleged that he has a record of repeated criminal offenses and requested that he withdraw from the race.
