France is witnessing a most intriguing election. The ramifications for their country - and Europe at large - can be quite significant. Will France shift to the right or will it be lead by the familiar rhetoric of socialism? Both candidates are claiming the soul of France.
The players are Segolene Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy. While both attended Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)* Royal graduated from the the prestigious school École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) where France recruits its best and brightest. Interestingly and as a report on the CBC pointed out, if Royal wins, she will become the first woman to lead France in its thousand year history. Will the United States elect a woman in a shorter time? Anyhow, the last time a woman lead France was Joan of Arc. Conversely, Sarkozy will remind some Frenchmen of another grand leader who was of immigrant stock - in this case Italian - Napoleon.
In the recent televised political debate Royal used the unfortunate and usual hysterical language come to be expected of modern socialists. She deliberately interrupted him on a number of issues and often used accusatory language. Not a smart, sound strategy if you're out to gain the "center" vote. The controversial and charismatic Sarkozy, who once called rioting Muslims "scum", simply steered clear while asking her to calm down.It's an interesting scenario and may be worth following for the more political minded among you.
*Wouldn't it be nice if Canada would have something similar? A real, educated and prestigious civil service would go a long way in helping to make Canada a more substantial and cohesive nation.
Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI started off liking Sego, but I think I have evolved towards Sarko. France has an aggrieved immigration problem.
ReplyDeleteThe socialist experiment in France had its chance. Francois Bayrou, who was not mentioned in the piece, is more of a centrist. French politics is interesting - contradictory (cynical?) to some - in that on the first ballot everyone shows their true colours and then on the second - going after the centrist vote -candidates revert back to the center. For example, Sarkozy - who at times sounds liek Le Pen - does use familiar overtones of state interventionism now. Still, he's the best person, I think, to lead and liberalise France in an election the French take very seriously. The question is how will he handle the inevitable rioters who have come to depend on the government for all issues? Canada take heed. Can Sarko be to France what Thatcher and Reagan were to their countries?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the first sentence regarding socialism was in reference to Sego.
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