Sarkozy increases his lead in France; Royal warns of unrest

International Herald Tribune ^ | May 4, 2007 | Katrin Bennhold and Craig S. Smith

[Cincinna]

The French presidential campaign officially closed Friday with the Gaullist front-runner, Nicolas Sarkozy, looking ever more assured of winning Sunday and his Socialist rival, Ségolène Royal, predicting street violence if he is elected.

Her warning came after the two latest opinion polls suggested Sarkozy would beat her by a bigger margin than predicted a few days ago, before a combative debate on national television in which Sarkozy kept his cool under rhetorical fire from Royal.

"Choosing Nicolas Sarkozy would be a dangerous choice," Royal told the radio station RTL.

"It is my responsibility today to warn people of the risk of his candidacy concerning the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said, suggesting that unrest was especially likely in the volatile suburbs that were the site of rioting in 2005.

Whoever wins, the 2007 election will go down in history as one that shook France's political landscape. Sarkozy built a united party machine on the right, and while Royal failed to paper over the large cracks in the Socialist party, the emergence of a strong centrist vote for François Bayrou, third-place finisher in the first round two weeks ago, helped change the left. It must now decide whether to jettison traditional socialism in favor of the more market-oriented social democracy embraced by the left elsewhere in Europe.

[Army Air Corps]

Damn! Faces of Death is less stomach turning than that!

[Theoden]

Rudy is a good comparison.

[Cincinna]

If you type in “sarkozy” into the FR keyword search, there are some articles posted on the subject.

I’m sure after the Election, there will be more analysis of what this means for Americans.

[Cincinna]

Thank you for reminding us.

[11th_VA]

3,000 police for Paris on day of presidential vote

PARIS, May 5, 2007 (AFP) - More than 3,000 police will be deployed in Paris and its suburbs to head off the threat of violence after Sunday's presidential election in France, police officials said Saturday.

Railway stations will be under high surveillance in case gangs of youths travel to the capital to disrupt victory festivities.

"There are no advance signs and we have no special information, but we are keeping a close watch on the suburbs, and we've also got our eye on the radical movements of the far-left," an official said on condition of anonymity.

There are fears that a victory for right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy could spark unrest in the poor high-immigration neighbourhoods that were the scene of riots in 2005.

Join us Sunday and follow the results of the French presidential election live. Sarkozy, who was interior minister at the time, is a hate figure for many young people of black and Arab origin. He has also been vilified as a hard-right authoritarian by many on the left.

On Friday Sarkozy's opponent Socialist Segolene Royal warned of "violence and brutalities that will be triggered across the country" if he wins.

Sarkozy, 52, who heads the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), is seen as the clear favourite in Sunday's election.

Aides said there will be a celebration in the Place de la Concorde in central Paris if Sarkozy wins.

In addition to riot police, thousands of regular police men and women and plain-clothes officers will be on patrol.

Copyright AFP

[Cincinna]

OMG! The battle has just begun!

[pattty]

Please add me to your ping list. Thanks!

[Dont Mention the War]

"It looks like he might not only win, but win by a landslide," said Brice Teinturier, director of political studies at Sofres.

Even the BBC is having trouble finding Sego supporters who aren't, well, kooks:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/in_pictures_french_voters_at_play/html/9.stm

Catherine Peyrouzet, 26, computer consultant

"I am on the left and will vote for Segolene Royal. The 35-hour week is a good thing. Work should be shared out.

"It's all fine to say people should be allowed to work more, but not everybody is able to.

"Sarkozy's policies would marginalise the vulnerable and increase job insecurity.

"He also worries me. I think he would erode our liberties and encourage repression.

"I don't like the way he is courting far-right voters."

[HawaiianGecko]

"It is my responsibility today to warn people of the risk of his candidacy concerning the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said, suggesting that unrest was especially likely in the volatile suburbs that were the site of rioting in 2005.

Does this not sound like blackmail to anyone?  Hasn't the left in our country continuously said President Bush was using fear as a tactic?  Does this sound a bit louder and more serious than anything the administration has said?

All that said, she's a nice looking woman. ;-)

[The Duke]

...his Socialist rival, Ségolène Royal, predicting street violence if he is elected....

So, he's saying it'll be just another day in Paris?

[Dont Mention the War]

I can imagine Royal wearing dark sunglasses, a black pinstripe suit, and a white necktie while saying that.

Or a pantsuit.

[Cincinna]

Hard to believe that in 2007 there are still people foolish enough to believe that work is like a pie, with a limited number of portions that have to be shared.

[Army Air Corps]

Just like She Who Must Not Be Mentioned.

[padre35]

“It looks like he might not only win, but win by a landslide,” said Brice Teinturier, director of political studies at Sofres.

When even the Soclialists admit that their candidate is going to get buried, you know it is going to be real bad, they stick to their guns no matter what, like the Dems still cry about election 2000 they simply cannot admit defeat.

I think I may BBQ tomorrow and have a little somthing French for desert, or some Cognac.

[Army Air Corps]

Socialism/Communism doesn’t stop at threatening to use violence - they use it with abandon.

[Signalman]

The Socialist is gonna lose.

[DuncanWaring]

...Ségolène Royal, predicting street violence if he is elected.

Didn't Elizabeth Edwards say something like that prior to our 2004 presidential election?

[Liberty1970]

It is my responsibility today to warn people of the risk of his candidacy concerning the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said, suggesting that unrest was especially likely in the volatile suburbs that were the site of rioting in 2005.

Translation: "The violent thug demographic is solidly in my camp." Talk about desperation when she resorts to virtual intimidation.

[albie]

“Socialism/Communism doesn’t stop at threatening to use violence - they use it with abandon”.

...only difference between Socialism and Communism is one holds a gun to your head.

[Army Air Corps]

I wonder what made France wise up?!

One of the key factors was the presence "restless youths" (young Muslim thugs) who have smashed and burned bits of France when things do not go their way.