PARIS -- The French political scene is presently -- and probably for sometime to come -- dominated by the results of the European parliamentary election held June 13. Many commentators spoke of an earthquake. Here are the reasons why.

First, there are always many abstentions in such a vote, reflecting the weak interest in the European Parliament's debates. But a record was set this time: 51 percent opted out, against 43.2 percent in the previous vote five years ago. Even if the numbers are worse in Britain (77 percent), the Netherlands (70 percent), Portugal, Germany and Finland, it reduces the meaning of the French results.

Second, nobody expected the anti-European list led by "souverainist" Charles Pasqua, a former Gaullist home minister, would come second, bypassing the alliance between the official Gaullist party and the liberal right, which President Jacques Chirac supported. This is his second key mistake. Two years ago he suddenly called a new parliamentary election, opening the way to a cruel defeat of his party. Now, this latest setback is a clear disavowal of his action as head of the state. It was a major surprise for him, as he had relied until the vote on polls persistently showing high popularity ratings for Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and himself.