French election thread

Bilge_Rat · 04-20-17, 10:11 AM

since the election is this sunday, I thought we could start a thread.

I speak French fluently and because of that can keep up with the reporting.

I always liked their system for choosing a President, a first round where everyone runs, basically a "jungle primary" and a second round where the two top contenders square off.

Usually, the race is between the left-leaning "Socialist" candidate and the center-right "Republicain" candidate, but 2017 is a free for all.

The current President François Hollande is so unpopular, he did not even run for re-election.

His replacement, the official "Socialist" candidate Benoit Hamon is so far behind in the polls, he will not make the second round.

The official "Republicain" UMP candidate, former PM François Filion is in the middle of a huge scandal and also will probaly not make the 2nd round.

The leading contenders are:

-Emmanuel Macron, 40 year old Boy wonder. Former "Socialist" minister who left to found his own party. He seems to be center-left. Think JFK, Bill Clinton.

-Marine Le Pen, the Front National candidate. Extreme right-wing. Think Alt-right/white-nationalist/Trump.

-Jean-Luc Melenchon, also has his own party, has been rising in the polls and has a real shot. Extreme left. Think Bernie Sanders.

predictions for First round results?

I will go with:

Macron - 1st
Le Pen - 2nd

Apparently, some Banks are so worried about the result, they have asked their staff to be at their desks Sunday night so they can react quickly depending on the results.

Jimbuna · 04-21-17, 05:41 AM

I should imagine the EU will be watching developments extremely closely.

My prediction for a few weeks now has been Macron 1st and Le Pen 2nd but after yesterdays Paris gun attack it is hard to guess just what effect that will have on the voters.

Jimbuna · 04-24-17, 09:45 AM

The two traditional parties (both of whom lost in the first round for the first time) are now appealing to their supporters to side with Macron in an effort to keep Le Pen out.

STEED · 04-24-17, 09:47 AM

Not much too say as we all knew Le Pen would get though round one but all the smart money is on Macron to win round two.

Bilge_Rat · 04-24-17, 10:04 AM

Polls are giving Macron around 60% for the second round, but this is not 2002. I was watching the coverage on TV5 and the "Front National" spokesmen are much more polished these days. Le Pen will do better than her father.

Jimbuna · 04-24-17, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Not much too say as we all knew Le Pen would get though round one but all the smart money is on Macron to win round two.

I should imagine the other 26 EU members (not including the UK) will be hoping the same way.

STEED · 04-24-17, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I should imagine the other 26 EU members (not including the UK) will be hoping the same way.

Foregone conclusion or I will eat a slice of pizza, not a fan of pizza just to add.

04-20-17, 10:11 AM	#1
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	French election thread since the election is this sunday, I thought we could start a thread. I speak French fluently and because of that can keep up with the reporting. I always liked their system for choosing a President, a first round where everyone runs, basically a "jungle primary" and a second round where the two top contenders square off. Usually, the race is between the left-leaning "Socialist" candidate and the center-right "Republicain" candidate, but 2017 is a free for all. The current President François Hollande is so unpopular, he did not even run for re-election. His replacement, the official "Socialist" candidate Benoit Hamon is so far behind in the polls, he will not make the second round. The official "Republicain" UMP candidate, former PM François Filion is in the middle of a huge scandal and also will probaly not make the 2nd round. The leading contenders are: -Emmanuel Macron, 40 year old Boy wonder. Former "Socialist" minister who left to found his own party. He seems to be center-left. Think JFK, Bill Clinton. -Marine Le Pen, the Front National candidate. Extreme right-wing. Think Alt-right/white-nationalist/Trump. -Jean-Luc Melenchon, also has his own party, has been rising in the polls and has a real shot. Extreme left. Think Bernie Sanders. predictions for First round results? I will go with: Macron - 1st Le Pen - 2nd Apparently, some Banks are so worried about the result, they have asked their staff to be at their desks Sunday night so they can react quickly depending on the results. __________________ Last edited by Bilge_Rat; 04-20-17 at 10:19 AM.

04-21-17, 05:41 AM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I should imagine the EU will be watching developments extremely closely. My prediction for a few weeks now has been Macron 1st and Le Pen 2nd but after yesterdays Paris gun attack it is hard to guess just what effect that will have on the voters. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-24-17, 09:45 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The two traditional parties (both of whom lost in the first round for the first time) are now appealing to their supporters to side with Macron in an effort to keep Le Pen out. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-24-17, 09:47 AM	#4
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Not much too say as we all knew Le Pen would get though round one but all the smart money is on Macron to win round two. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

04-24-17, 10:04 AM	#5
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	Polls are giving Macron around 60% for the second round, but this is not 2002. I was watching the coverage on TV5 and the "Front National" spokesmen are much more polished these days. Le Pen will do better than her father. __________________