Posted on 04/25/2007 2:38:22 PM PDT by Cincinna
Defeated centrist candidate Francois Bayrou refused to endorse either of France's presidential finalists Wednesday, leaving Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal to fight it out for the crucial votes of his seven million supporters. Instead he launched a scathing attack on both candidates for the May 6 run-off, savaging Royal's socialist economic programme but reserving his strongest language for the right-winger Sarkozy, who he described as a danger to democracy. "With his close links to the business world and media powers, his taste for intimidation and threat, Nicolas Sarkozy will concentrate powers as never before," said Bayrou, who took third place in Sunday's first-round vote. "By his character and the themes he has chosen to stir up, he risks aggravating our social divide through policies that benefit the richest," he told a press conference.
While crediting Royal with having "better intentions" in terms of democracy and being "more attentive" on social issues, Bayrou criticised the specifics of her campaign platform. "Her programme is full of state intervention, perpetuating the illusion that it is up to the state to do everything, that it can do everything.
"Her programme runs exactly counter to the direction needed to give our country back its creativity and economic stability," he said.
Both candidates were set to drive up French debt and deficit by promising "a totally wild increase in public spending," and in Sarkozy's case deep tax cuts, at a time when the country can ill afford it, he said.
With presidential victory hinging on Bayrou's supporters, who make up 18.7 percent of the electorate, Sarkozy and Royal have sent out feelers to his centrist camp -- with hints of future cooperation and ministerial posts.
Bayrou, who currently heads the small Union for French Democracy (UDF), ruled out an alliance with either, saying he was setting up a new centrist party, the Democrat Party, to contest legislative elections on June 10 and 17. But the centrist hinted strongly that he finds Royal less distasteful than Sarkozy. "As you may detect, I do not put the two of them on the same footing," he said. Concerning his own vote, he said: "At present, I don't know what I'll do. But I already have a idea of what I won't do." Speaking on French television later, Royal -- who commentators say has no chance of winning without strong support from the centre -- offered to meet with Bayrou on Friday to "clarify" aspects of her programme.
Bayrou said later that he would agree to a debate if it is televised.
Sarkozy, also on television, ruled out any public debate with Bayrou, although he said he was "open to dialogue" and repeated that he would welcome centrists into his government. Opinion polls give varying figures on the division among Bayrou voters for round two. One said 46 percent will vote for Royal and only 25 percent for Sarkozy. But another put them much closer at 39 percent and 35. Many said they will abstain or spoil their vote.
Six opinion polls have put Sarkozy ahead on May 6, though a SOFRES survey on Tuesday showed his lead narrowing to 51 percent to 49.
France is choosing a successor to 74 year-old Jacques Chirac -- president since 1995 -- in an election that has become the focus of impassioned debate about the country's future direction.
There was a near record turnout in the first round and a major reverse for far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who saw his vote fall back to 10.4 percent, after qualifying for round two five years ago.
Founded in 1978, Bayrou's UDF party has been in almost permanent alliance with Chirac and the right.
But in the election campaign, Bayrou veered sharply leftwards -- winning support both from Socialists unconvinced by Royal's presidential stature and from UMP-supporters who feel Sarkozy is too authoritarian or pro-American.
Many undecided Bayrou voters were waiting for the televised debate on May 2 between Royal and Sarkozy before deciding who -- if either -- to vote for.
Bayrou is forming a new party. Might as well, because many of the leaders of his party, UDF, like former President of France, Valerie Giscard d'Estaing,endorsed Sarko in the first round. Many UDF members of the Assemblee Nationale also endorsed Sarko in the first round, and have no desire to lose their seats.
Bayrou baying at the victorious candidates appears to be a severe case of sour grapes.
“With his close links to the business world and media powers, his taste for intimidation and threat, Nicolas Sarkozy will concentrate powers as never before,”
Just the man for the job!
There are eleven days to go until the Election.
Events coming up:
If you are interested in being on the FRENCH ELECTION PING LIST, FReep mail me.
“Valerie Giscard d’Estaing”
Haven’t heard that name in awhile.
I don’t think it is sour grapes. I think it is the smart politician Bayrou trying to ensure his political future.
If he endorsed Royal, his party would be wiped out in the legislative elections in May, and he would have no voice.
I predicted, correctly, he would advise people who voted for him to vote their condscience.
French Election 2007 Blog reports:
“Royal Bayrou debate?
Already receiving criticism from several left-wing candidates for not backing Royal, UDF candidate Francois Bayrou did accept Segolene Royal’s proposal for a public dialogue. After this, Royal said that she and Bayrou should debate this Friday in order discuss certain portions of her presidential pact.
“I propose this debate of explanations on a certain number of proposals of my presidential pact, with the only objective to enlighten the voters, to give dignity to the debate, to clarify the solutions which will make it possible for France to advance (...), and not to convince Francois Bayrou.”
Royal may be taking a risky step, because anything that could highlight the differences between her and Bayrou would end up hurting her on election day. Then again, at several points behind in the polls, she needs to do as much as possible to captivate his voters, even if no official endorsement or alliance takes place.”
http://frenchelection2007.blogspot.com/
She is also taking a further risk.
In trying to persuade Bayrou voters to vote for her, she will say things that can be held against her by Sarko in the major debate next Wednesday.
She will also be faced with Bayrou, a much smarter, more experienced debater and politician. He has a much greater command of the issues. Since competence is seen as her #1 fault, this is a major tactical error.
Orwell’s doublethink has finally found a home, in France.
This man, Bayrou, is either on drugs or doesn’t know where’s been living his entire life.
The parts about “the government can’t do everything” with regards to Royal’s “state intervention” and “creativity and economoic stability” prove it.
This is a bad sign. Bayrou has, in effect, endorsed Royal. His words make it pretty clear that he will be part of the anti-Sarkozy campaign. No need to directly endorse.
Right now, Sarko is a clear underdog. Something must happen to convince a decisive slice of the “centrist” voters that the status quo (Royal) is unacceptable. Otherwise, Royal wins. And if Royal wins, France goes permanently, irreversibly, down the drain.
This is by far the most important European election in over 20 years.
Bayrou is an odd fellow. This quote makes him sounds Libertarian. But then he also resorts to childish class-warfare rants against Sarko.
Royal’s desperate. She needs UDF support.
Unfortunately for her, it is precisely on economic and government organization issues that UDF and Socialist are farthest apart.
Bayrou is already campaigning for the Parliamentaries in June, while Royal has to try to pretend to not be a Socialist. Of course, she can pretty much say anything she wants, because the Left will vote for her no matter what (i.e.: they won’t believe a word of her new-found “moderation”).
Since when do losers in the first round get to participate in the debate? If Bayrou is allowed into the debate, there won’t be the right-left clash in the voters’ minds which represents our only chance to win this election. In effect, the anti-Sarko side will get two voices, Sarko just his own. This is extremely unfair. I’m reminded of Ross Perot in the ‘92 debate, claiming to be an independent but really directing most of his opposition to then-President Bush.
Alec Baldwin has said he plans to “leave the country” and France is the chief suspect for his destination. Perhaps his endorsement of Royal will help the cause.
Bayrou launches his campaign to convince LePen lefty-but-nationalist supporters to vote for Sarkozy?
Alec Baldwin.. Oh mon is incivilisé...
Quite a temper..wouldn’t be good for the French...
His OWN political future. This maneuver will wound but not kill Sarkozy, who will win anyway, but make the UDP likely to steal votes from the Socialists, while not winning many of their own seats anyway.
France is drifting towards the UMP becoming the “Christian Democrats (Republicans), the UDP becoming “New Democrats,” with the Socialists moving left to shore up the Communist vote. The UMP minus the UDP will become much more recognizably “Republican.”
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