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French Election

(129 Posts)
Riverwalk Sun 23-Apr-17 16:44:01

Given our own agonies, dare I ask about the French election?

At midday I passed the Lycee Francais in South Kensington, and the queues were around the block and half way up Queen's Gate.

I hope the French are not in for a nasty surprise! shock

Newquay Sun 23-Apr-17 16:49:21

Trying times for us all!

Ana Sun 23-Apr-17 16:50:51

I did read that Brexit had galvanized French UK residents into action. Which way, I have no idea but I doubt they'll be voting for Le Pen.

Riverwalk Sun 23-Apr-17 16:56:48

I have a feeling that she'll do well - happy to be proved wrong!

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 17:17:04

Open boarders with no control can do this.

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 17:19:31

So can being constantly dictated to.

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 17:27:16

It would work if all countries within the EU were at the same strength, however so many countries are not and want to go where a better life is promised (I get that and would probably do the same). Unfortunately that means a huge influx of people in the lower sector where that sector in their own country are already struggling. The rich prosper of course by this (Ive never come across a poor politician).

Hence anger and resentment in that actual country.

The answer is to control immigration yet help that other country help itself. It makes total sense to me.

TriciaF Sun 23-Apr-17 17:31:28

There wasn't much of a turnout in our village ( 200+ voters)
and a choice of 11 candidates!

Cherrytree59 Sun 23-Apr-17 17:31:47

I have wondered about the views of the man/woman on the street re the French Elections.
I know we have GNers living in France,
I would welcome some local opinion.

whitewave Sun 23-Apr-17 17:36:58

I suppose if Le Pen gets the premiership then Brexit will become a damp squib?

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 17:41:16

Damp Squid? We will be out which is what every brexiter wants, however that happens. Damp squid or not.

Riverwalk Sun 23-Apr-17 17:45:21

Squid?

The far-reaching tentacles of the EU grin

mcem Sun 23-Apr-17 17:46:58

Aren't squid always damp? Squibs on the other hand do fizzle out if damp.

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 17:47:57

grin

TriciaF Sun 23-Apr-17 17:55:38

France is such a huge country, with a variety of locations, traditions etc. The only part I can report on is the rural SW, which is very traditional and strongly leftist, even communist. Yet there always seems to be a 10% of FN votes - wish I knew who they were, hoping they don't want to kick us out!
The FN also has a lot of support in the SE, where there's a big proportion of Maghrebs.

TriciaF Sun 23-Apr-17 18:41:57

If anyone is interested, there's a good coverage on France 24 at the moment. Chanel 513 on our tv.

whitewave Sun 23-Apr-17 19:10:38

Le Pen and Macron then..

Just listening. Amazing - Macron started his own party from nowhere.

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 19:12:42

Both want out of the EU though huh.

TerriBull Sun 23-Apr-17 19:17:41

Not Macron he is pro EU, I think you mean Melenchon stillalive, the far left candidate, but looks like he's not through.

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 19:19:16

I think at the end of the day the people are sick of free movement, so whoever gets in will have to change this.

whitewave Sun 23-Apr-17 19:21:15

Macron was a socialist but now considers himself a social democrat. He is a supporter of the EU and above all a moderate centralist.

whitewave Sun 23-Apr-17 19:23:19

saak you are confusing free movement with immigration I think. There is no evidence that macron wants to end free movement.

Watching the TV hopefully Macron will be a shoe in but you never know

whitewave Sun 23-Apr-17 19:26:03

He sounds a bit like a French Blair!!

stillaliveandkicking Sun 23-Apr-17 19:30:52

Free movement and immigration are sort of the same thing if you look at it properly. It's just a different way of saying it. People that move freely to here never go back.

Ana Sun 23-Apr-17 19:32:17

Shoes? I just wish the election was over and done with - the French one and ours...