Time To Pack?

Please do not underestimate the force of Poujadism and the fact that there are a lot of people in France who simply aren’t very open-minded, interested in life beyond the confines of their commune and the people they already know, or informed. They want an authority figure and the FN are more than willing to provide one. There is an element of French society that has always been pretty well FN even before it existed as a political entity, think about the croix de feu, the cagoulards etc.

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You describe my Other Halfs uncle. Fat, curly mustache, lives in a remote village in the Vosges, smokes Gauloises and has voted (as long as I can remember) FN. I am not even sure he knows why he votes FN.

He is the nicest bloke you could ever want to meet mind you.

yep, it was the media who blew it out of all proportions - nothing like Sarko’s celibrations but parallels drawn to that. Like most people I’m sick to the back teeth of the elections and French politics (I only have French TV and radio!)

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Eyes wide shut…

Hi Andrew, I too only have French tv and watch it rarely. However for a bit of light relief you cannot beat the Internet and all the ‘revelations’ about Le Penn and Macron. Top of the list is that Le Penn’s mother was once featured in Playboy, gasp, gasp. Macron and his teacher/lover, now wife and her grandchildren are of course prominent. It’s a bit like one of those ‘soaps’ from when I was young (Peyton Place) each episode ended with a 'tune into next weeks exciting episode for more of the same ! In any case whatever happens I hope to still be here in my adopted home for many years to come. Vive la France ! :wink:

Thinking as it as a soap opera is not a bad idea, we don’t take it much more seriously than that, just like Holland’s visit a few years back and Hammon’s last week (to Jaurès’ statue here in Carmaux) I keep out of local politics, even the local comité des commerçants, and try not to talk politics in the shop as it’s not good for business (I’m a buraliste in about the only town in France that has never been anything other than socialist) at least Macron says he’ll reform/disband the rsi which is one of our biggest admin headaches! eh oui, vive la france y compris la France des immigrés !

Oh yes Pierrette Le Pen posed in playboy to get back at Jean-Marie after they split up. I remember hearing all about it at the time (some 30 years ago…)

Hi Mark. I think you need to check your results analysis. Rural France did not vote overwhelmingly for Le Pen, they voted much more for Melenchon. There was an East west divide and where I live in the Alpes Maritimes, it was an overwhelming win for Le Pen in round 1. The issues are 100% mirroring Brexit and immigration is, and will continue to be the big issue.
As an aside MLP only really got 15% of the vote nationally, so the press are over egging things and whilst there is still a risk she gains power, it is very unlikely, even with dissatisfaction about Macron.
You are 100% correct though about revisiting this situation in 6 years. Past history with politics the world over, is that it is apparent politicians do not listen. And for this reason the rise of nationalism will continue, as nationalists prey on people’s fears (real or imagined). Unless a political party really begins to listen to not just the majority, then I fear for the future.
A perfect example is how both candidates in the second round are merely dismissing opposition views and refuse to even engage with those who protest at their venues. Surely if one wins power to govern, then those that didn’t vote for you still matter, still form an integral part of your country and in my naive hope, actually could be won over to your way of thinking. Yet we ignore them and wonder why their movement gets stronger.

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The problem as I see it, is the populace wants change and votes against the corrupt establishment and cronieism . Hence people voted against Cameron in the Brexit vote, against Clinton and against Filon. Filon represents everything that is wrong with France, making MLP a more attractive proposition. Hopefully, all those that voted 'against Filon will now vote for Macron on the 7th

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what to do? What to say when you are told by your friend in the village that Le Penn
likes the British! And that she only wants to get rid of the bad people. This woman is
bright, intelligent and hard working so how can she filled with all this brain wash?
National Front is National Front. if Macon is going to kick RSI into shape that is
great news.