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French Presidential Election candidates, thus far.


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  • 4 weeks later...

There doesn't appear to be much interest here in the French elections which given it's where (most of us) live I find a little odd. I suppose politics isn't high on peoples agenda.  For me I do find politics interesting and particularly this forthcoming election. I find it almost inexplicable that the left is virtually finished before it has even got going. Macron, who claims to be somewhere in the middle, for me has turned into a socialist with his 'money give away' schemes; perhaps that is why the right is surging. People see that socialism is about 'giving the bank away'! It's shame that there are three reasonably strong. candidates of the right to challenge Macron as they will split the support, probably allowing Le Pen into the final round where she would, once again, lose to Macron.  An interesting few months ahead.

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9 minutes ago, Lehaut said:

Ken, the lack on interest may be linked to the number that can vote?

Yes, it's possible but I doubt it. Politics is hardly the top of the list when it comes to hobbies anyway!    People will moan about a president. P.M or whatever when he/she has been elected but show little interest in how they get elected. It's usually something along the lines of "No, not him, he is Right wing"!! or the opposite he/she is left wing without having a clue about the details or policies. I wonder how many people realise how closely aligned all the right wing candidates are regarding policies yet would discount Zemmour as a'**** and racist?

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2 hours ago, Ken said:

There doesn't appear to be much interest here in the French elections which given it's where (most of us) live I find a little odd. I suppose politics isn't high on peoples agenda.  For me I do find politics interesting and particularly this forthcoming election. I find it almost inexplicable that the left is virtually finished before it has even got going. Macron, who claims to be somewhere in the middle, for me has turned into a socialist with his 'money give away' schemes; perhaps that is why the right is surging. People see that socialism is about 'giving the bank away'! It's shame that there are three reasonably strong. candidates of the right to challenge Macron as they will split the support, probably allowing Le Pen into the final round where she would, once again, lose to Macron.  An interesting few months ahead.

 

Ken, there is little interest in 'France' for French politics. Especially amongst younger people. Normal rational people don't tend to vote because there is no one worth voting for. Just look at voter turnout in elections in France.   

Peeps (regardless of nationality) really don't give a shît in IMHO. Their lives won't change regardless of wins. 

It is mostly older folks who will vote right wing nutters. And I include Macron as a right wing nutter.

The elitisme/corrumption in French French politics turns people off. It is that simple. 

 

Like I said earlier, you think the UK is bad with Boris. Well France is on another level. 

Edited by alittlebitfrench
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26 minutes ago, alittlebitfrench said:

 

Ken, there is little interest in 'France' for French politics. Especially amongst younger people. Normal rational people don't tend to vote because there is no one worth voting for. Just look at voter turnout in elections in France.   

Peeps (regardless of nationality) really don't give a shît in IMHO. Their lives won't change regardless of wins. 

It is mostly older folks who will vote right wing nutters. And I include Macron as a right wing nutter.

The elitisme/corrumption in French French politics turns people off. It is that simple. 

 

Like I said earlier, you think the UK is bad with Boris. Well France is on another level. 

I have to say that in the main I disagree with most of your points. There has been a lot made of 'going for the younger vote' probably because in the past there hasn't been the awareness that the young are more easily manipulated. Now, particularly with all this 'woke' nonsense politicians are pandering to the young as never before. I think people do care but, particularly here because of the system, they feel disenfranchised. I agree that no matter who wins the election our lives will change very little. As for the 'oldies' voting for right wing nutters, well when was there last a 'right wing nutter' in the Elysée palace? incidentally I don't see Macron as right wing either! 

As for Britain, there is no doubt that Boris Johnson is receiving  absolutely horrendous press at the moment. But for what? His Covid regulations are tamer than most of Europe though reading the British press it sounds like Russia under Stalin!! And this latest ridiculous business being made of a party in No10 is worthy of the Dandy or Beano. The one time our lives did change recently and I, for one, am extremely pleased is that Johnson took Britain out of the E.U. For that I would forgive him anything!

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Ok Ken...

Lets put it another way.

Most Brits move to France by selling their house in the UK and that affords them a middle class lifestyle in rural France. They live in a way that most folk in France can only dream of.

The most complicated things in their lives is walking the dog or trying to tune in their sky box to watch UK telly. 

They don't know, understand or care about the daily shît that most French folks have to deal with. They have no idea of France. None whatsoever. 

Perhaps that is why they don't get involved in French politics. Because it does not involve them. 

In the meantime the rest of us has to get on with it.

How many Brits have lived in the suburbs in France ? On a run down estate or whatever. 

Have to deal with the daily issues that grind us all down ?

 

Less than 1% I guess !

Edited by alittlebitfrench
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37 minutes ago, alittlebitfrench said:

Ok Ken...

Lets put it another way.

Most Brits move to France by selling their house in the UK and that affords them a middle class lifestyle in rural France. They live in a way that most folk in France can only dream of.

The most complicated things in their lives is walking the dog or trying to tune in their sky box to watch UK telly. 

They don't know, understand or care about the daily shît that most French folks have to deal with. They have no idea of France. None whatsoever. 

Perhaps that is why they don't get involved in French politics. Because it does not involve them. 

In the meantime the rest of us has to get on with it.

How many Brits have lived in the suburbs in France ? On a run down estate or whatever. 

Have to deal with the daily issues that grind us all down ?

 

Less than 1% I guess !

I can only speak for myself of course. I don't have a dog (does four cats count,) and perish the thought of SKY or U.K. telly!  Fortunately my life style never depended on selling a house in the U.K. I would agree with you completely that most French people would be agog at British pensions and their general financial arrangements. Despite what some ex pats may say here!! I feel sure that your basic premise regarding what the indigenous population does on a daily basis, at least compared to retired ex pats is concerned, is probably correct but that still doesn't, in my view explain why people are not interested in politics to at least a rudimentary level. Laws are made (and promised) that affect us, speed limits, vaccinations, immigration and God know what else. All this has a basis in politics and what politicians promise. We can't vote but that shouldn't mean you switch your brain off from what is happening around you. Many here criticise Macron, haven't read a word that is complimentary in fact! Like wise Zemmour. I would have thought that if there was going to be the sort of bad language regarding them, or anyone else for that matter then at. least an interest in what their policies are is required. People do care a **** but it would seem only as far their own little British bubble is concerned and that I feel, is pathetically poor;

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15 minutes ago, Ken said:

I can only speak for myself of course. I don't have a dog (does four cats count,) and perish the thought of SKY or U.K. telly!  Fortunately my life style never depended on selling a house in the U.K. I would agree with you completely that most French people would be agog at British pensions and their general financial arrangements. Despite what some ex pats may say here!! I feel sure that your basic premise regarding what the indigenous population does on a daily basis, at least compared to retired ex pats is concerned, is probably correct but that still doesn't, in my view explain why people are not interested in politics to at least a rudimentary level. Laws are made (and promised) that affect us, speed limits, vaccinations, immigration and God know what else. All this has a basis in politics and what politicians promise. We can't vote but that shouldn't mean you switch your brain off from what is happening around you. Many here criticise Macron, haven't read a word that is complimentary in fact! Like wise Zemmour. I would have thought that if there was going to be the sort of bad language regarding them, or anyone else for that matter then at. least an interest in what their policies are is required. People do care a **** but it would seem only as far their own little British bubble is concerned and that I feel, is pathetically poor;

As you said: "I can only speak for myself of course" Maybe you should have left it there?

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In my experience, many people here tend, in the first round, to vote to "exprimer leur ras-le-bol".  Either by voting for a more extreme candidate (often Le Pen, perhaps this time Zemmour) or by using a vote blanc or nul.

Then, come the second round, they vote for the candidate they dislike least.

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1 hour ago, betise said:

In my experience, many people here tend, in the first round, to vote to "exprimer leur ras-le-bol".  Either by voting for a more extreme candidate (often Le Pen, perhaps this time Zemmour) or by using a vote blanc or nul.

Then, come the second round, they vote for the candidate they dislike least.

I , more or less, agree with you. Most of the people I know vote tactically in the earlier rounds and that is why , invariably, they end up with a President they didn't want. I may be biased of course but that is why I think the British system of voting first past the post is best. Not perfect for sure but most of the time Britain ends up with a government it voted for.

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Zemmour is polling at 18 - 19% , Macron is at 24% Le Pen at 15%.
The director of Harris polling in France said that he has never seen a little known candidate as Zemmour was, advance so quickly in the polls.
I'm getting the impression that MLP is maybe losing her taste for presidential politics, and might she consider withdrawing from the first round in favour of Zemmour?
If that comes to pass, Macron is toast
And MLP could be his prime minister.
How do you like them apples?
Zemmour is very intelligent and should not be underestimated, he might just outmanoeuvre the french establishment and their poodle media.
An example of Zemmour's thinking and presentation was when he was addressing a rally and he said that of course the establishment machine will have the election all sewn up - but all it takes is a grain of sand in that machine to bring it to a grinding halt. The crowd roared and applauded, shouting "you are the grain of sand".
He replied to the crowd saying "No - you are the grain of sand"
Rapturous applause.
He's working a very old reliable sales technique there.
YOU
we
i

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3 hours ago, Harnser said:

Zemmour is polling at 18 - 19% , Macron is at 24% Le Pen at 15%.
The director of Harris polling in France said that he has never seen a little known candidate as Zemmour was, advance so quickly in the polls.
I'm getting the impression that MLP is maybe losing her taste for presidential politics, and might she consider withdrawing from the first round in favour of Zemmour?
If that comes to pass, Macron is toast
And MLP could be his prime minister.
How do you like them apples?
Zemmour is very intelligent and should not be underestimated, he might just outmanoeuvre the french establishment and their poodle media.
An example of Zemmour's thinking and presentation was when he was addressing a rally and he said that of course the establishment machine will have the election all sewn up - but all it takes is a grain of sand in that machine to bring it to a grinding halt. The crowd roared and applauded, shouting "you are the grain of sand".
He replied to the crowd saying "No - you are the grain of sand"
Rapturous applause.
He's working a very old reliable sales technique there.
YOU
we
i

I think your scenario could come to pass. I doubt that MLP would be P.M. though. There is no doubt in my mind that Zemmour is extremely bright and saying all the 'right' things. Things that a great number of people agree with but feel reluctant to say so because he is branded a 'racist' by the left. I do hope he makes it to the second round and further more I would like him to be President. France could do with a 'Eric Trump'!!!! Now that would be very interesting!

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2 hours ago, Ken said:

I think your scenario could come to pass. I doubt that MLP would be P.M. though. There is no doubt in my mind that Zemmour is extremely bright and saying all the 'right' things. Things that a great number of people agree with but feel reluctant to say so because he is branded a 'racist' by the left. I do hope he makes it to the second round and further more I would like him to be President. France could do with a 'Eric Trump'!!!! Now that would be very interesting!

Wow, and you called me pig ignorant. Rock on Tommy. LOL 

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5 hours ago, Ken said:

I think your scenario could come to pass. I doubt that MLP would be P.M. though. There is no doubt in my mind that Zemmour is extremely bright and saying all the 'right' things. Things that a great number of people agree with but feel reluctant to say so because he is branded a 'racist' by the left. I do hope he makes it to the second round and further more I would like him to be President. France could do with a 'Eric Trump'!!!! Now that would be very interesting!

Trying to cut to the basics of the personal motivation of the aforementioned candidates here.

Macron -  a purely personal ego trip to achieve a second term before swanning off to be the president of the EU.

MLP -  A difficult one to fathom - It could be just the continuation and tradition of the Le Pen family business with her. Or she wants to be the first female president? Maybe she has realised that the Le Pen name carries too much baggage to be elected as president but would settle for PM in a Zemmour government?

Zemmour - Possibly he sees it as his duty as a jew and a frenchman - a job that needs doing maybe? Or to prove that he can outwit the establishment?

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2 hours ago, Gardian said:

I rather doubt that many people want to join a conversation with you.

Describing other members of this Forum as “pig ignorant” and “rather silly” says plenty about you.  

I presume you don't wish to join the conversation either? Thank you for your observation!

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1 hour ago, Harnser said:

Macron -  a purely personal ego trip to achieve a second term before swanning off to be the president of the EU.

 

Given that he is yet to toss his hat into the ring and reading THIS, I suspect when France takes over the preidency of the council of Europe, in a few weeks time,  he will somehow morph into the president of the EU commission. Maybe, just may be he will decide not to run so as to give himself the opportunity to leap-frog (pun intended) over a 5-year tenure of presiding over the French nation with a view to, in just over 2 years, tossing his hat into the ring for the president of the European nation. ?

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1 hour ago, Harnser said:

Trying to cut to the basics of the personal motivation of the aforementioned candidates here.

Macron -  a purely personal ego trip to achieve a second term before swanning off to be the president of the EU.

MLP -  A difficult one to fathom - It could be just the continuation and tradition of the Le Pen family business with her. Or she wants to be the first female president? Maybe she has realised that the Le Pen name carries too much baggage to be elected as president but would settle for PM in a Zemmour government?

Zemmour - Possibly he sees it as his duty as a jew and a frenchman - a job that needs doing maybe? Or to prove that he can outwit the establishment?

Whilst I tend to agree with your observation regarding Macron. I think the greatest problem with politicians and the public is that it has all become personalised. I think that was well illustrated with Trump. Many of his policies I agreed with completely, as did millions of Americans. His personality and character though probably lost him his Presidency, not his policies. Macron did have some very good ideas, to start with!!  But-given the resistance the French are to any change very few of his ideas have come to pass which is normal for France I think. What remains though is his personality and character which is perceived by many  as arrogant with an ego bigger than Trumps! Those characteristics are what will lose him the election (if he does!!) not his policies.

MLP is, I'm afraid, tied to her family name which of course means her Father. I doubt she could ever shake off what he stood for. Everyone I speak to simply ties her in with being a fascist or worse! She keeps trying however and may even make the final round. if she does then we will have another dose of Macron and his ego!

Zemmour   makes his appeals to France and French people in a very pragmatic way. Very little is ever mentioned about his being a Jew. He says things that other politicians won't say and that has landed him in court on several occasions but it is equally obvious that what he is saying resonates with many people. Being a Jew may even work in his favour. I still believe the French carry some guilt from the 2nd WW and that guilt could bring some votes. I should think the confusion he causes in some minds about his immigration and religious views is driving some people to distraction as it is difficult to suggest he is a racist when at the same time jews are almost being persecuted in France.

Pecresse: Well it's all to play for I suppose and she stands, if the polls are correct, almost the same chance as Zemmour and MLP of reaching the final round. I would be quite content to see Zemmour as the next President or failling him then Pecresse. I fear though that it will be a re-run of the last election.

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14 minutes ago, cajal said:

Given that he is yet to toss his hat into the ring and reading THIS, I suspect when France takes over the preidency of the council of Europe, in a few weeks time,  he will somehow morph into the president of the EU commission. Maybe, just may be he will decide not to run so as to give himself the opportunity to leap-frog (pun intended) over a 5-year tenure of presiding over the French nation with a view to, in just over 2 years, tossing his hat into the ring for the president of the European nation. ?

That crossed my mind too. I think though that he will use the E.U.Presidency simply as a platform to promote his chances of winning the French election. Already he is giving speeches as if he were the President of the E.U. all of which are aimed at the French public of course. I  think his vanity is such that he couldn't bare not running, and winning, a second term, or maybe, he is fooling everyone!!!

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1 hour ago, Gluestick said:

As I have suggested previously, such personal differences ought to be aired by PM, not on the open forum.

 

That's easy to say, but you haven't been called pig ignorant on an open forum. I think we might have discovered a refugee from another forum. It's not surprising that several old valued members have voted with their feet, and I'm sure they won't be the last.

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