France's New President
Sunday May 6, 2007
Record numbers of French voters turned out to choose a new president today. I have the results of the run-off between the female socialist Ségolène Royal and the pro-American, anti-immigration Nicolas Sarkozy right here.
More: 2007 French Elections
More: 2007 French Elections
Comments
The results at the moment stand at segolene leading the “who would you vote for?” poll. You fools, is all i can say. Her proposals are REALLY hollow. Nicolas Sarcosy and Bayrou are the only ones with proper action plans, and when you consider that Bayrou has a fairly crappy (but at least existant) one, the ONLY person to vote for is Sarcozy. READ UP ON IT GUYS!
I don’t think anyone of the candidates is fit to become the President of France. These candidate do not have any personality nor they have enough experience to take the responsibility of a vast republic.
If Nicolas Sarkozy is pro-American, then I’d like for him to win the elections. If only because I’d like for the US and France to become close friends again.
I am with Adrian. I am a Francophile who has been well treated in both France and French Speaking Africa. Hopefully intelligent leaders will be elected in both France and the USA.
What is that I heard about the Socialist candiate believing that she was speaking on the phone to the “Prime Minister” of Quebec? Sounds like she and Bush both need Political Geography lessons.
I wonder who is voting in this poll.
The socialist model has failed France–it has led to high unemployment which makes workers slaves to their employers. Sarcozy wants to open up the market for small businesses to start and operate more easily. Small and medium companies provide the majority of the employment in the US. French would-be entrepreneurs go abroad to avoid the horrendous paperwork involved in starting a company in France. In France small companies have their hands tied in ways that make it likely that an economic downturn would put the company out of business before they could get rid of employees they didn’t need. Sarcozy would help open up the French market, and it is only in a more open French economy that companies will dare to hire employees. The result would be more options for workers. Royal would be horrible for French people living abroad because she would like us to pay double taxes–after we pay our taxes to the country we live in, she wants us to pay taxes to France without the benefit of any of the services residents of France receive (health care, education, retirement, unemployment insurance). It is a nice thought to have a woman win, but Segolene Royal is the wrong woman for the job.
Now, I am a complete outsider. I come from a poor, impoverished Asian country battered by Foreign interference in her internal affairs. I am educated, I can fund my living here.
Being a foreigner I should be just no one to comment on the French system or politics. But, I, being a political observer:
I don’t think I would want Sarkozy to win. Sarkozy is too pro-American. We already have too many followers of American politics. By followers, I mean governments following American government. France gives us the only hope of a multi-polar world. That is why I supported Monsieur Chirac for his international policies (although Monsieur Chirac is not a big hit inside France). Also, Sarkozy is not the kind of face and character that the World needs as French president. We must remember that politics of France not only matters for France but it matters for the world. Also, Sarkozy is not liked by the immigrants in France.
I would want it to be a two horse race between Bayrou and Ségolene Royal and may the best among these two win!
Unfortunately France has forgotten past friendship with the US, possibly because the younger people do not know what it is like to live under a repressive regime. France needs to repair its relationship with the US and Britain. As for immigrants, I guess if Sarkozy wins, they could just go back home if they don’t like him. But since there are no jobs and most are on the dole, the suffering French taxpayers will get to pay even more to support all the slackers that are streaming into France. Bon chance!
Strongly disagree with Emilie, I am not French and work my socks off paying tax in france so not everyone coming into France is a “slacker” furthermore a lot of people Slacking off are French themselves! Maybe one ought to address the racist stance France takes as I can personnaly tell you “fraternité” only works is you have white skin. France needs to open up the market as many writers on this site have said, but I for one am not keen on yet another country becoming pro-american, look at the UK, we are no longer seen as an independent force. However as the only two main contenders are Royal and Sarkozy, then reluctantly I’d have to go for him and hope and pray France doesn’t become a “second puppet” in the world’s eyes, but revives a critically ill economy. It will be ok if he knows how and when to say no to the US.
I couldn’t agree with UK alien in France more. I am from half way around the world, lived in France for 6 years until 2003, and am half french. It was sooo hard to do anything. Bureaucracy is a euphemism for that country. I experienced working for an employer in a good job, good pay, good benefits, but hands tied. After 3 years I quit and experienced being an RMIst, completely different story. I tried to start up a business but after battling for a year or so decided to cut my losses and return here. Things now seem like a breeze and I am thankful every day. I love france, the culture, the diversity, the history but it’s a mess. I also don’t want France to kowtow to the US but I think Sarkozy has more guts and intelligence than that. I hope anyway. I also hope he comes through with his promises - if he gets in, because he has a tough job ahead of him. It’s a scary thought that so much rides on this election.
Is it fair to characterize Sarkozy as “anti-immigration”? Is he against all immigration or just illegal immigration? The very helpful URL that was given in the paragraph under “France’s New President” contains the following concerning his immigration policy and stance on affirmative action:
“On immigration, the Minister of the Interior has been fighting for years for selective immigration with yearly and categorical quotas, a principle that had been applied in the US since 1921 before being abandoned today. As for minorities, the president of the UMP is clearly in favor of affirmative action, a system that permitted the creation of a true black American middle class in the 60’s.”
As regards his use of the word “racaille” which “helped to spark” the October 2005 riots, my impression is that they were going on for several days before he shouted up that response to a woman (seen on TV5Monde) in the banlieue who was asking him what he was going to do to protect them in the project. He was trying to sound tough in order to reassure her that something was going to be done. The event that sparked the riots was the death of two boys who were electrocuted while breaking into an electrical sub-station in their attempt to run away from the police. At least that’s my memory of it.
Unemployment is very hign in France, and especially among the young and even more so among the youth in the banlieues. Whether or not the French are truly for reform of the economy - time will tell. The massive demonstrations against the CPE last year - which was only a tepid reform of the contract - is not encouraging.
Hats off to the French! A turnout of 85% is amazing - and it looks like this was not just Metropolitan France, but worldwide. It certainly gives one to think when you consider our troubles with breaking the 60% barrier here in the US. (Not to mention the self-congratulations when we actually do it.)
Donald -
Sarkozy made those comments on 25 October. The riots started the 27th. Certainly it was the death of the 2 boys that lit the match, so to speak, but the kindling and lighter fluid was already piled high.
As for “anti-immigration,” I suppose it depends on your definition. Of course he’s against illegal immigration - who wouldn’t be? But he also supports “selective immigration,” which is less black and white (no pun intended). See for example http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1147847581161B216
Judy - I agree. 5 out of 6 of those eligible voted. Impressive by any standards.
Laura,
Yes, you are right. The remark was made before the riots, but the riots were brewing for years with the poverty and unemployment etc. I just wonder if too much importance is being put on one
word when he was trying to reassure a woman calling down to him for help because she felt under seige in her own appartment.
As regards being selective about immigration equaling “anti-immigration”, Canada is selective about who they let into their country. Does that make them “anti-immigration”? The banlieues have 40% unmeployment. They cannot find work for the people already there the state their economy has been in for years. They also don’t have enough housing. (Immigrant groups have been living in tents on the streets in Paris and in auditoriums.) The average age for a surgeon in France is 59 due to their health care system. Doesn’t it make sense to allow surgeons to migrate to France but not more unskilled workers who will almost certainly have to go immediately onto welfare rolls?
Sakozy’s parents were immigrants. I can’t look into his soul, but generally people with that background are not anti-immigration. It is usually the people who have been citizens for generations (Le Pen et al.).
Anyway, I always enjoy your perspective and web site.
I am an American living in France for over 4 years. I am thrilled that Sarkozy was elected. My own experience here, not to mention those of my French and other expatriate friends here has me convinced that France is in desperate need of reform. For those who would rather that Segolene Royal had won only need to look at the increasing low standard of living and desperately high tax situation in this country to see that change is needed. 2000 Euros is the average monthly salary in France and unemployment is at over 10% and as high as 24% in the youth bracket! Please. No more socialist dreams! They don’t work.
Vive Sarkozy! Vive la France!