NormanH Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 [quote user="5-element"][quote user="NormanH"]I think that Le Pen (I refuse to fall into her trap of calling her the cosy 'Martine') is trying out a strategy of becoming the replacement leader on the right in the event of Sarkozy losing, and his party the UMP imploding...[/quote] LOL Norman, just as well you don't call her "Martine"!!![/quote]OOOOPSSSS[:$][:$][:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 Thought for to-day!The dwarf promised to reduce unemployment to 5%.Five years later the march figure is the highest since 1999. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 I have just seen Sarkozy on the news, he is looking 'mad' to me at least. Where was his composure, looking like 'the president'. That seemed to have gone. Will this man taking on Le Pen's policy's as if they were suddenly his own, really convince the french people? I have no idea.Certainly scaring me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 He is desperate to retain Presidential immunity from prosecution.If he loses all sorts of matters will be investigated that he would rather forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 It's a pity that this man isn't representing the Right, although the article might be seen as so much p... and windhttp://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2012/04/27/la-droite-m-effraie-la-gauche-m-inquiete_1692193_3232.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Is the debate on Wednesday expected to change opinions and thus affect results?I understand that these debates have been "traditional" for some 40 years in France. Can anyone tell me whether there has ever been a debate that has radically changed the results of Round Two?There was, of course, the famous TV debate between Nixon and JFK with JFK looking good and a smooth operator and Nixon sweating and a bit flustered. That debate was supposed to have lost Nixon the presidential post.Also, what about the debate in the UK, before the last general election? Clegg was supposed to have acquitted himself the most favourably of the three and there was a bit of a Clegg mania for a few days. Yeah, I know, that didn't last but it did make him seem temporarily someone who could handle power in government.Do the French just treat the debate as entertainment or do they listen carefully and weigh up the pros and cons before le second tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 (responding to Norman's article):de Villepin has always had a certain je ne sais quoi, which could be slightly appealing. I will never forget the way he stated categorically that France was not going to be part of the forces invading Irak, that must have been his epiphany.Still, by the end of the article, it is not clear what he is advocating to do, or what he will do himself. This article seems to be mostly about his own absence from the scene, he is probably saying that if it had been HIM who'd been chosen, then France would have remained on course.He is right in saying that the whole of France is taken hostage now, by 6 million voters (the Front National voters)What does bother me though, in all those impassioned speeches, is the glaring absence of "the environment" as a big topic. This issue has been almost totally "escamotée" by most of the candidates, and de Villepin continues with that trend. It has been the last of everyone's worries for ALL campaigners. We will see if it ever become a burning issue, one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 You are absolutely right about the environment. It seems that once Europe Ecologie Les Verts got a certain number of 'places' promised if Hollande wins they didn't really bother anymore.Perhaps they hope to exercise power from that base, but it is disappointing not to hear their voices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 It's not just down to Les Verts to make themselves heard though, I would like to hear the 2 remaining candidates say SOMETHING about those issues. It's not as if those are problems that concern only a minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 [quote user="sweet 17"]Is the debate on Wednesday expected to change opinions and thus affect results? [...]Do the French just treat the debate as entertainment or do they listen carefully and weigh up the pros and cons before le second tour?[/quote]Speaking for myself, I'd be beyond amazed if there's anything either of them could say which would sway my vote.I don't see the problem as a matter of policies, but personalities.I imagine they'll talk numbers and make vague promises. They'll try to look in turn benevolent, presidential, approachable and commanding. Gotta cover all the bases, right?What to make of the this week's mysogynist comment from UMP-MP Lionnel Luca (translation)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 [:@]How elegant!I believe he is one of the UMP élus in the Droite Populairehttp://www.ladroitepopulaire.com/les-membres/ who are virtually the FN without the name..My Elu is the first name on the list... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 [quote user="Clair"]Speaking for myself, I'd be beyond amazed if there's anything either of them could say which would sway my vote.I don't see the problem as a matter of policies, but personalities.I imagine they'll talk numbers and make vague promises. They'll try to look in turn benevolent, presidential, approachable and commanding. Gotta cover all the bases, right?What to make of the this week's mysogynist comment from UMP-MP Lionnel Luca (translation)?[/quote]Thank you, Clair: I now get the picture (couldn't resist the punt)[:D]So, if they speak slowly and clearly and keep on repeating themselves so that even I could follow the debate, I shall know for a fact that they are not addressing the more intelligent members of the audience?Edit: that Luca comment is truly disgraceful and beneath contempt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 These days nothing can be trusted!http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=YB3Rlzrjuns&feature=endscreen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 A bit out of date:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKlKfb5bbnw&feature=email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 MLP has announced, as pretty much expected, that she won't tell her voters to vote for either contestant, but will cast a blank vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just john Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Having just watched a bit of Sarkozy's address in which he warned that should the country turn to socialism then it is likely to follow the route of Greece, Italy, and Spain, (quite possibly IMHO). Despite this the polls seem to show that his personality is the problem and turkeys will be voting for Christmas. What price the € next week?[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 [quote user="gardengirl "]MLP has announced, as pretty much expected, that she won't tell her voters to vote for either contestant, but will cast a blank vote.[/quote]Politically and in particular considering the june "legislatives" she can not consigne the "frontiste" vote but there is an implicit invitation to follow her example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 [quote user="just john "]Having just watched a bit of Sarkozy's address in which he warned that should the country turn to socialism then it is likely to follow the route of Greece, Italy, and Spain, (quite possibly IMHO). Despite this the polls seem to show that his personality is the problem and turkeys will be voting for Christmas. What price the € next week?[:P] [/quote]The price of the €uro is already accounted for as the markets anticipate the victory of the socialists.But in all the media clamour the only party leader speaking the truth is Marine Le Pen who has been particularly critical of the dwarf.I, of course, agree with Marine that the dwarf has changed france into a "banana republic". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Well only 18 million viewers down on 2007, but then Ségo was easier on the eyes, this morning the "small person" was on france Info early trying to rake over the coals of the previous night in a rather hapless attempt to self justify with pathetic self-adulation the manifest errors made in his rather second class performance on SEVEN french channels.The markets appear to have taken the masterly performance of françois bis with equanimity, the Cac 40 gaining 1,32% in early trading and the rate against the US dollar makina a VIOLENT negative lurch of 0,02% . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 [quote user="pachapapa"][quote user="just john "] Having just watched a bit of Sarkozy's address in which he warned that should the country turn to socialism then it is likely to follow the route of Greece, Italy, and Spain, (quite possibly IMHO). Despite this the polls seem to show that his personality is the problem and turkeys will be voting for Christmas. What price the € next week?[:P] [/quote]The price of the €uro is already accounted for as the markets anticipate the victory of the socialists.But in all the media clamour the only party leader speaking the truth is Marine Le Pen who has been particularly critical of the dwarf.I, of course, agree with Marine that the dwarf has changed france into a "banana republic".[/quote]Economic update. as the polls give an air of certainty to the Pressydentelle there has been a surprise reduction in private enterprise activity during the month of april.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17952847At the moment no knock-on effect has been monitored in that large socialist economy in east asia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 [quote user="pachapapa"][quote user="pachapapa"][quote user="just john "] Having just watched a bit of Sarkozy's address in which he warned that should the country turn to socialism then it is likely to follow the route of Greece, Italy, and Spain, (quite possibly IMHO). Despite this the polls seem to show that his personality is the problem and turkeys will be voting for Christmas. What price the € next week?[:P] [/quote]The price of the €uro is already accounted for as the markets anticipate the victory of the socialists.But in all the media clamour the only party leader speaking the truth is Marine Le Pen who has been particularly critical of the dwarf.I, of course, agree with Marine that the dwarf has changed france into a "banana republic".[/quote]Economic update. as the polls give an air of certainty to the Pressydentelle there has been a surprise reduction in private enterprise activity during the month of april.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17952847At the moment no knock-on effect has been monitored in that large socialist economy in east asia.[/quote]The french 10 year sovereign debt market took a completely irrational turn in trading today friday with lower rates belying the dangers to the world economy in the event of françois not exploding on sunday.http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2012/05/04/a-deux-jours-du-scrutin-la-france-profite-d-une-forte-detente-des-taux-sur-le-marche-de-la-dette_1696093_3234.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 GBP / Euro avg bid rate 1.23097 on OANDA 30 secs ago, the highest in 90 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 [quote user="powerdesal"]GBP / Euro avg bid rate 1.23097 on OANDA 30 secs ago, the highest in 90 days.[/quote]Wow! Despite the warning in the Express.http://av.r.ftdata.co.uk/files/2012/05/DailyExpress.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sarkozy-or-hollande-france-prepares-to-choose-its-future-7715652.htmlHas got the two candidates about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quillan Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 [quote user="NormanH"]http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sarkozy-or-hollande-france-prepares-to-choose-its-future-7715652.htmlHas got the two candidates about right.[/quote]Good article, I have been trying to read it all day but so many interruptions. [:'(] The bit that makes me wonder is the comment "The problems begin with the fiscal discipline element. The Socialist candidate has pledged to reduce the French state deficit to zero by 2017". I am wondering how he intends to do this as like Labour in the UK he is yet to come up with an actual plan or pass any real comment? It suggest to me that perhaps French public sector workers are in for just as much pain as they are under Sarkozy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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