tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842479373699548813.post3094069719510903581..comments2024-03-11T20:09:36.515+00:00Comments on Levantine Musings: The Challenge Before French Voters -- Pull Up The Drawbridge Or Move ForwardDavid Edgerlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17084229580014552247noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842479373699548813.post-2326674908815776172017-05-04T15:03:49.194+01:002017-05-04T15:03:49.194+01:00It is a new chapter in French politics, absolutely...It is a new chapter in French politics, absolutely. I will put my head above the parapet and say that Le Pen will NOT win on Sunday, especially after last night's Grand Débat. Of course I agree that the legislative elections will be decisive. I'm not sure how Macron, without the support of a well-established party, can get any kind of majority. Your questions about his meteoric rise are very valid. Will he fall back to earth as quickly as he ascended? The next few years will be very interesting in Europe, to say the least.<br />And I want to say again how much I enjoy reading your pieces. In fact I often wait eagerly to hear your view on events.Christinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842479373699548813.post-5065685105734048132017-04-28T16:03:57.656+01:002017-04-28T16:03:57.656+01:00Christine,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment....Christine,<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree, Fillon actually did better than I thought he would. Nonetheless, it is a new chapter in French politics. However, even if Macron wins his real challenge is just beginning. Can he govern? A lot depends on the legislative elections in June. Will he be in a position to govern, or will he be reduced to a figure head in a cohabitation with powers in the parliament? A Le Pen victory is not out of the question. But if she wins all bets are off. My question is just how did Macron achieve so much, so fast. Who encouraged him, who supported him, and who financed him? Is it mainly the old Parti Socialiste cadre who realized that the traditional PS had no chance whatsoever and jumped on Macron's bandwagon?<br /><br />David EdgerlyDavid Edgerlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084229580014552247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842479373699548813.post-13876930484500906642017-04-28T14:31:37.422+01:002017-04-28T14:31:37.422+01:00Let me start by saying that I am French so I have ...Let me start by saying that I am French so I have been following the campaign quite closely and cast my vote last Sunday. A lot is being said and written about the collapse of traditional parties and the rejection by French voters of the old order. It's the first time that neither of the large parties is represented in the second round. But without "Penelopegate" I am very sure that Fillon would be facing Le Pen next Sunday instead of Macron and things would have been business as usual (as in 2002). Fillon managed almost 20% of the vote even after falling from grace. To my mind, the situation isn't the result of French voters rejecting old ideas, it just shows that many couldn't bear to vote for a man strongly suspected of large scale fraud and being put under investigation. Macron was the only other acceptable candidate. I very much hope that Macron wins, but I'm not optimistic about his chances when it comes to dragging France forward. France and real reforms just don't go together. Sadly!Christinenoreply@blogger.com