He was looking for a job... And here he is, a Member of Parliament!

As mentioned above, the Seine census committee has just declared Mr Baranton, who was on Mr Cachin's Communist list, elected in the first sector. The error stems from an oversight in the transfer from one column to another.

The Communist list had in fact obtained 6,000 more votes than initially announced, and should have benefited from an additional quotient. This is how Mr Baranton learned of his appointment.

The new MP was employed as a delivery boy at a chemist's. His boss had dismissed him on Monday. When his boss fired him on Monday, Mr Baranton went to see his friends in the Communist Party and asked them to find him a job.

We've got just the job for you," replied Mr Cachin, "you'll be going to the Chamber from now on. As Mr Baranton, thinking it was a joke, remained taken aback, Mr Cachin explained: It's very serious, the census commission has just declared you elected.

You can see Mr Baranton's astonishment and no doubt his joy.