France Elections!!

From what I have gathered, these are some fact about each:

Political setting of France:

1. There is mass unemployment (over 10%, for youth its closer to 25%)
2. According to the Economist, 80% of all new jobs are short term contracts (short term meaning less than a month)
3. There is great animosity toward establishment figures, and voters in the two major parties have casted out the moderates.
4. For the Republicans, they voted for the dark horse candidate Fillon who beat former president Sarkozy and favorite pick of all pollsters Alan Juppes
5. For the Socialist, they went went further left Hamon over the far more moderate former PM Manual Valls

Candidates:

Marine Le Pen-

After taking over the party from her father and making it more aligned with French voters, Le Pen has played down the anti-semitic tone associated with the party and made it into oe acceptable by many French. Her father had started the movement among the Pied-noir (French settlers from Algeria who emigrated after ALgerias war of independence). These people were cast out by the Left who viewed them as colonial racist. Le Pen started her rise in the South and used her nationalism as a magnet for this community.

She has also used her anti-globalist tone to capture workers in the Rust belt areas of France in the North east, traditionally Socialist strongholds. She has also used her Catholic credentials to whip up support in the south.

She has also made inroads into the suburban areas.

She is supported by more men than women, those with less education, and surprisingly she polls well with the young (though Macron is catching up). The young feel dishearten with the current system and Le Pen has cast herself as someone not of the establishment; "What do you have to lose by voting for me?"

Older people are worried their pensions will be ruined if she leaves the Eurozone.

Some of her main polices include a referendum on staying in the EU, the revival of the French franc, implementation of protectionist policies, distancing from NATO, and a reproachment with Russia


Emmanuel Macron-

My favorite and a favorite of the pollsters, he is literally the exact opposite of Le Pen.

He is pro-EU, pro-competition, pro-immigration, and a supporter of globalization. He started his movement, En Marche! (On the Move) last year and has seen large support from across the Left and Right. He is seen as the centrist candidate. A former minister under the socialist government, he left after his plans for privatization were shelved. He has never held elected office but has gathered supporters eve from Manual Valls who has brought the moderate wing of the Socialist over with him. He wants to combine th pension system (over 30 different systems in France) into a single one to improve its efficiency.


Francois Fillon-

Originally seen as the next President of France, Fillon has been tainted with corruption allegations stemming from paying his wife and children with funds from the French treasury for work they never did. This has severely hurt his reputation and many Republic voters are now supporting Macron.

Fillon is similar to Le Pen in his belief of a raproachment with Russia and distancing from NATO. BUT he does not wish to leave he EU (though he is euro-skeptic). He considers himself a Thatcherite (even though Margaret Thatcher is held in contempt by many French) and wants to cut 500k jobs in the public sector and severely slash public spending (France has not balanced a budget since the 70's).

Overall, he wouldn't make a terrible president imo


Jean-Luc Mélenchon-

He only became widely popular due to fairing well in the debates and making quick one liners (When Macron said he wanted regulations to be decentralized to firms, Melenchon fired back "I do not believe in one business code for each business just as I do not believe in one highway code for each highway."). He has a large following on youtube and has had large rallies. I think of him as the Bernie Sanders of this election but far more radical.

He wishes to completely changed the Consituion and abolish the Presidential system in favor of a strong Parliamentary one. He wants to leave NATO and imposed a 100% tax rate o everyone making more than $420,000 a year. He also wants to form a "Bolivarian Alliance" with Cuba and Venezuela (he is an immense fan of Hugo Chavez).

He also wants to cut work hours from 35 a week to 32 and lower retirement age to 60.

Lastly, he wants to increase the minimum wage and social security payments


Benoit Hamon-

The radical of the Left, he is now being overshadowed by Melenchon.

He is polling at 8% due to moderate leftist backing Macron and radicals backing Melenchon- the Left in Frace has alway been divided.

He seeks to impose a universal basic income of eventually $800 a month. Other than that, nothing huge about him

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:17

1. There is mass unemployment (over 10%, for youth its closer to 25%)

What did you just call "mass" unenployment....? Didn't feel like reading more after this

Написано RaulPB, 20.04.2017 at 19:33

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:17

1. There is mass unemployment (over 10%, for youth its closer to 25%)

What did you just call "mass" unenployment....? Didn't feel like reading more after this

I'm confused about what you're asking D=

There is a large amount of unemployment (1 in 10) throughout the country (mass) so "mass unemployment."

Uraa Le Pen!

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:57

I'm confused about what you're asking D=

There is a large amount of unemployment (1 in 10) throughout the country (mass) so "mass unemployment."

That could be considered kinda "high" but never "mass" unemployment... Spain has an average of 20% desemployment, Greece even more. We'd be delighted to have only a 10%... u.u

I should also remind you that the european average of unemployed rate is around 8%, not that far from 10%. That's not mass unemployment, it's actually near the average unemployment.

Написано RaulPB, 21.04.2017 at 05:05

That could be considered kinda "high" but never "mass" unemployment... Spain has an average of 20% desemployment, Greece even more. We'd be delighted to have only a 10%... u.u

I should also remind you that the european average of unemployed rate is around 8%, not that far from 10%. That's not mass unemployment, it's actually near the average unemployment.

Well 10% rate of unemployment is still not good indicator at all. ignoring it it's the recipe for double rate like with Spain.

Написано Rock Lee, 21.04.2017 at 05:23

Well 10% rate of unemployment is still not good indicator at all. ignoring it it's the recipe for double rate like with Spain.

That could be true, but still can't be considered "mass" unemployment. That's basically subjectively exagerating the data. I'd also remember you that usa's unemployment rate is barely half of France's, not that big of a difference to me.

Написано RaulPB, 21.04.2017 at 05:31

Написано Rock Lee, 21.04.2017 at 05:23

Well 10% rate of unemployment is still not good indicator at all. ignoring it it's the recipe for double rate like with Spain.

That could be true, but still can't be considered "mass" unemployment. That's basically subjectively exagerating the data. I'd also remember you that usa's unemployment rate is barely half of France's, not that big of a difference to me.

But US's rate is close to "full employments (around 3-4%). Furthermore Frances rate is well above other developed nations similar to it (i.e.. UK and Germany). I addition, youth unemployment is 1 in 4. Just because other countries have it worse doesn't mean France does not have "mass unemployment." Raul, i think you're overthinking this

Написано Pheonixking929, 21.04.2017 at 05:41

Raul, i think you're overthinking this

Yes, I think I am

Does France have an electoral system similar to Britain and America's or is it based purely on number of votes?

Написано Zephyrusu, 21.04.2017 at 06:44

Does France have an electoral system similar to Britain and America's or is it based purely on number of votes?

I believe (not 100% certain) that it is done based off of votes. They do have elections based off of "departments" but, at least for President, it's based off of votes. If you win the popular vote, you become President.

France tends to have many candidates and parties running for President. In this current election, 11 candidates are running. So to become President, you must have the MAJORITY (over half) of the votes, not the plurality. To do this, France tends to have a general election (all candidates are o the ballot) in May. If a candidate gets more than half the vote, they become President. If they do not (which happens fairly often and will certainly happen with this elections) there is a run off election (I think next month) where the top 2 candidates in the general election will be on th ballot for the run off.

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:17

My favourite

He is pro-EU, pro-immigration, and a supporter of globalization.

Whoahh!!

Every single thing all of us hate about Europe right now is whats written above. Your favourite?

Honestly guys I just think it's time for a woman president. #ImWithHer

Написано Khal.eesi, 21.04.2017 at 07:42

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:17

My favourite

He is pro-EU, pro-immigration, and a supporter of globalization.

Whoahh!!

Every single thing all of us hate about Europe right now is whats written above. Your favourite?

He is my favorite but I wouldn't agree with him on everything. That was just to show that he is polar opposite of Le Pen. Personally, I am pro-EU i the sense that I like the idea of connected economies and hopefully a stronger alliance. As for immigration, for the US I think it needs to be decreased and more skilled immigrants let in over families. As for globalization, I am a free trader but do feel that businesses should invest more domestically. I saw yesterday that GM plants in Venezuela were enationalized- there ei uno sympathy for me, that is what happens when you close a factory in America in open in some third world country and higher cheap labor over Americans.

I would much prefer Fillon economically but he is a little too soft on Russia for me, hence I support Macron. Also, Macron I think would unite the country much better than the other candidates.

Написано Guest, 21.04.2017 at 04:33

Id vote the blonde one, she must be crazy in bed

You should've see her niece

Написано Khal.eesi, 21.04.2017 at 07:42

Написано Pheonixking929, 20.04.2017 at 19:17

My favourite

He is pro-EU, pro-immigration, and a supporter of globalization.

Whoahh!!

Every single thing all of us hate about Europe right now is whats written above. Your favourite?

I think he's American and therefore naturally tend towards those policies:

1. EU looks like US, union of states
2. US is made by immigrants, made it great
3. Globalization made US a power, allowing global trade, influence and connections



edit: replied too late, he already explained.

I support Le Pen, she already recieved $9 million from Russia

Inb4 we get a french trump

Написано RaulPB, 21.04.2017 at 05:31

Написано Rock Lee, 21.04.2017 at 05:23

Well 10% rate of unemployment is still not good indicator at all. ignoring it it's the recipe for double rate like with Spain.

That could be true, but still can't be considered "mass" unemployment. That's basically subjectively exagerating the data. I'd also remember you that usa's unemployment rate is barely half of France's, not that big of a difference to me.

Such an high unemployment rate that France has is already an heavy failure with catastrophic meanings to all levels of society which will take many resources and years to solve. arriving to 20/25% rate of unemployment it's like ignoring your cancer for more than a decade. It's way worse but it only means you were suppuse to be concerned in first place.

My point is it does'nt make the French "spoiled" or unthankful for being concerned about it, they should be.

Le Pen is strong isn't she?

Написано Metyu, 21.04.2017 at 16:43

Le Pen is strong isn't she?

I don't know what you mean by that o.0

Написано Pheonixking929, 21.04.2017 at 17:29

Написано Metyu, 21.04.2017 at 16:43

Le Pen is strong isn't she?

I don't know what you mean by that o.0

I mean Le Pen is winning in the election pools right?

Написано Metyu, 21.04.2017 at 20:14

Написано Pheonixking929, 21.04.2017 at 17:29

Написано Metyu, 21.04.2017 at 16:43

Le Pen is strong isn't she?

I don't know what you mean by that o.0

I mean Le Pen is winning in the election pools right?

Just for the first round (in the sense that she'll probably come i first though some polls show Macron beating her- just some though). She will lose in the second round though with the possible exception of Melenchon (the far left candidate). Marine Le Pen will not be the next President of France.

Написано Pheonixking929, 21.04.2017 at 20:45

Just for the first round (in the sense that she'll probably come i first though some polls show Macron beating her- just some though). She will lose in the second round though with the possible exception of Melenchon (the far left candidate). Marine Le Pen will not be the next President of France.

hmm, where have we heard that the right wing candidate wouldn't win before

Цитировать:

Написано Viruslegion, 21.04.2017 at 21:16

hmm, where have we heard that the right wing candidate wouldn't win before

She is probably the least popular candidate of the right wing

Написано Viruslegion, 21.04.2017 at 21:16

Написано Pheonixking929, 21.04.2017 at 20:45

Just for the first round (in the sense that she'll probably come i first though some polls show Macron beating her- just some though). She will lose in the second round though with the possible exception of Melenchon (the far left candidate). Marine Le Pen will not be the next President of France.

hmm, where have we heard that the right wing candidate wouldn't win before

France isn't electoral, it's popular and she's stuck with her 20-30% group and not any outside of it

Le Pen is more populist than right-wing.. let's be honest, she address people's fears and there is no real opposition to her. All other candidates are failures. So if she win, that will not be because of her good campaign or good policies, but because there was no other option.

All Hail Macron! The 30 year old with 7 step-grandchildren!

French elections today ending 8 pm French time (2 pm US Eastern Standard time, 6 pm Greenwich mean time). Polls show Le Pen coming in first with Macron and Fillon vying for second. Fillon has been damaged by corruption allegations but some polls show him making a comeback so should be an interesting race.

Exit polls show Macro coming in first with Le Pen coming in second- both will advance to the second round held on May 7. Official results will be posted soon