Europe’s voting for the right just as we're turning left!

Regarding the dates, I heard that once the President calls the election it has to be done within a certain time. With July 14th and the Olympic Games fast approaching, the chosen slot was the only real option.

I'm concerned MBappé has a broken nose though! ⚽️

Procuration is a proxy vote. You take your identity card to the police, fill in a form (this is France after all) and then your proxy can vote. Having seen the item on the news about the record number of procurations this time, I realised that the second and vital round of voting is the Sunday after the start of the school holidays, when the roads are jammed with departing holiday makers. Hmm.

*apply not reply

My understanding is, that you can elect somesne else to vote for you - say if you are out of the country or whatever. I think you have to fill out forms to reply, then trot along to the local police station to get everything checked and stamped.
Those living permanently France might explain more.
My French friends in London had specific polling stations set up for them so they could vote in person.

What are 'procurations' please?

I'm finding this discussion of French politics really interesting 😆

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The French 2 news is reporting on a record level of procurations at this very moment!

Mamie
When French people have two more houses some decide where their vote will count more.

mokryna

Where I live even houses have walls/ fences around their gardens with locked gates, so it isn’t an easy case of knocking on a door, like in the UK.🇬🇧.

Yes, I love French walled gardens, wrought iron fancy gates, and the metal boîtes à lettres. ✉️ My friend here in a coastal new build in Brittany has an electric sliding affair in grey. Talk about Englishmen and their 🏰, the French have nailed that one!

Joseann

Interesting Mamie. Protest is the right word in France!
I was also in conversation with French friends yesterday, and they were amazed that our candidates actually canvassed door to door.
Also, I was unaware that in France there is no possibility for a postal vote. I think even a French person living in London has to turn up at an appointed polling Station to vote.

There were always quite a lot of procurations when I was on the conseil municipal. A lot of people were registered to vote in their home village even if working elsewhere so voting for various relations was common.

even small houses

Where I live even houses have walls/ fences around their gardens with locked gates, so it isn’t an easy case of knocking on a door, like in the UK.🇬🇧.

Apparently, door to door canvassing can increase turnout by nearly 10%. Though a French market seems a far more pleasant place to me!

I did see on TV a candidate canvassing in a small village, so it does happen. However I live in a flat, as do many people in a town, therefore it would be very difficult to gain entry. We have markets everyday so we can discuss points of view easily.

Interesting Mamie. Protest is the right word in France!
I was also in conversation with French friends yesterday, and they were amazed that our candidates actually canvassed door to door.
Also, I was unaware that in France there is no possibility for a postal vote. I think even a French person living in London has to turn up at an appointed polling Station to vote.

We went to one of the big markets here this morning and I was canvassed twice, which has never happened before in twenty years of living in France. I said I would vote for the "parti travailliste" on July 4th and after they had worked it out, we had a lively discussion about the elections and parties in both countries. They asked me what I thought of the vote in the European elections and we agreed it was a protest. Very interesting and they were amazed by how badly the "parti conservateur" were doing. 😮

I've tried to get my head round the different right and left parties in France, but I can't, I'll keep on here in hope.

Whitewavemark2

Yes I was reading that the right are fighting likes rats in a sack. And something about a little man locking himself in a government office and refusing to come out and when he eventually did they sacked him, so he threatened them with the law and now he has been reinstated.

That was the Républicains party, the equivalent of the Tories (well how the Tories used to be).

Yes I was reading that the right are fighting likes rats in a sack. And something about a little man locking himself in a government office and refusing to come out and when he eventually did they sacked him, so he threatened them with the law and now he has been reinstated.

Whitewavemark2

I have been reading about what seems to amount to a French Farce amongst the right and far right - perhaps Macrons strategy will work because even if they get into power - they sound as if they will be shown up for the total lack of policy and put together ideas. I suspect just like Farage.

It isn't plain sailing, but the left seem to being doing better in uniting in a block against the far right threat.

You nailed it there Joseann
Always easy to say where a government’s going wrong but not so easy when you’re in the hot seat.There should be more than being anti something in order to gain power, but that’s the sort of world we’re in now.

But that seems to be the thing at the moment, Whitewavemark2. It's possible to win an election wherever you are, whoever you are, simply by being against what is currently in place.

I have been reading about what seems to amount to a French Farce amongst the right and far right - perhaps Macrons strategy will work because even if they get into power - they sound as if they will be shown up for the total lack of policy and put together ideas. I suspect just like Farage.