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Paris:– Monday, 19. September 2005:–
Obviously a serious story such as the French presidential
election in the spring of 2007 can't be left in the hands
of offshore news organizations such as the wire services or
Radio France International. They leave a lot out.
Before getting to the names of the candidates, French
news fans should know that elections here have short, fixed
periods for official campaigns. Typically these will be six
weeks before voting day. During this time there may be
public meetings, debates on TV, ads plastered on official
spaces outside polling stations, and blocks of
near–institutional equal–time, uniformly boring
ads for parties on TV in the ten minutes before the news at
20:00. All electoral activity ceases at the end of Friday
before the Sunday polling.
On the other hand, all the speculation about the
presidential election 18 months off is driving me batty. To
see, hear or read the news you might think that there is
only one old president who might be feeling a tiny bit
tuckered out, and a young bike–riding, short, little
go–getter bursting with conservative energy. This is
an understatement.
Today's Candidates for President
of France in 2007
On the Right
Jacques Chirac – as the sitting president
he is assumed to be a candidate unless he is dead. Party:
UMP.
Nicolas Sarkozy – the current minister of the
interior, president of the UMP , and self–declared
candidate of the UMP. Motto: "Nothing can stop me."
Suspected of being capable of self-exploding.
Dominique de Villepin – current prime
minister, member of the UMP. Dominique hasn't said he's
running, he hasn't been chosen by the UMP. Why is he acting
tall and suavely. Is it just to bother short, sharp
Sarkozy?
François Bayrou – leader of the
center–right, smaller UDF party. Nominally allied
with the UMP. A survivor, undeclared candidate.
Philippe de Villiers – leader of some strange,
further right–wing party and anti–European,
anti–Turk, pro–hunter, and making a pitch for
the National Front voters. Philippe says he is a
candidate.
Jean-Marie Le Pen – the everlasting leader of
the ultra right–wing National Front party; who lost
in the run–off against Chirac in 2002. Who else is an
eternal candidate? Specialty – destroying the number
two in the FN even if it is his daughter, Marine Le Pen.
Professional candidate.
On the Left
François Hollande – secretary
general of the Socialist Party, looks like an provincial
insurance agent. Masterminded Jospin's defeat in 2002 but
Jospin took blame. Masterminded PS support of European
constitution vote. Is currently masterminding split in PS
over the European vote. Not declared as a candidate but
will be if still alive.
Laurent Fabius – ex–number 2 in the PS,
ex–prime minister, advocated 'Non' vote on European
constitution. If he can't get out of hell's anteroom, he
will get no support from the PS. Otherwise, he'll be a
candidate.
Jack Lang – older Mitterrandista,
one–time Min of Cult, instigator of Technoparade,
ex–mayor of Blois, popular PS hack.
Dominique Strauss–Kahn –
heavy–duty PS dude, ex–minister, heavy.
Martine Aubrey – PS passionaria, bulldozed
35–hour workweek, from PS stronghold in Lille. Father
was in wrong position, time, to be president. These three
– Lang, DSK and Aubrey – are going around like
the Three Musketeers, backing up Hollande. Any could be a
losing candidate.
Bertrand Delanoë –mayor of Paris, head of
city PS, amassing credits, taking care of voters, runs a
tight machine, nominal Hollande supporter, mainstream. Not
a PS candidate but a natural, except for being mayor of
PARIS and all it implies for rest of France.
Henri Emmanuelli – leftist socialist,
anti–Euro constitution – must have appeal with
lefties, Communists and other real socialists. Not a
candidate, but...
NPS – Nouveau Parti Socialiste – this is
a group of young dudes, all much younger and
better–looking than any of the above, and a new wave
of socialists. These have potential, but more likely for
2017, 2022, etc. To watch.
José Bové – ex–spokesman
for the Peasants Federation, but active with the small
farmers and anti–OGM lefties. Could be close to the
greenies – Les Verts. Saw a note that he's thinking
of being a candidate.
Les Verts – will definitely have a candidate,
but who? Have several personalities.
Marie George Buffet – head of the French PC.
Buffeted by communist decline but out there shaking hands,
keeping the troops warm, marching in the parades. She will
be the PC candidate. Popular on the left.
Arlette Laguillier – eternal leader of the
Trotskists, Lutte Ouvriere, eternal presidential candidate.
Still alive. Most likely will set record for number of
times being candidate if she hasn't already. Also still on
the barricades.
Olivier Besancenot – postman and candidate of
the LCR, Communist Revolutionary League, anarchists.
Delivering mail, active, and still young. A candidate for
certain; going to try for Arlette's record between now and
2040.
Wild Cards
On the right, Alain Juppé – is still
out in the wilderness while courts decide whether he can
play with the big boys again. Ex–prime minister,
ex–mayor of Bordeaux, has lots of political marbles
but might not have a lucky touch. Could be an UMP choice if
Dominique and Nicolas are ripping out each other's throats,
and Jacques says it's okay.
On the left,Lionel Jospin – retired from
politics after the 2002 presidential schmozzle. He makes
rare excursions to rally the leftist faithful, such as for
the European constitution vote. Otherwise he doesn't take
sides, keeps his hands clean. If the PS keeps
self–destructing, Lionel is a knight on a white
horse.
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