Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen vote

François Hollande is still on course to become the next President of France, the second Socialist President since 1954, reports Sanchia Alasia.

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François Hollande is still on course to become the next President of France, the second Socialist President since 1954. In the first round of elections last week, Hollande edged ahead of incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy by a slim margin of 1.5 points.

The far left and Greens have pledged their support for Hollande in contrast to Front National leader Marine Le Pen, who has categorically told her 6.5 million voters not to vote for Sarkozy. Despite this, however, it seems likely most of the far right party’s supporters will end up gritting their teeth and voting for Sarkozy.

Nicolas-Sarkozy-Marine-Le-Pen-Francois-Hollande
Recent polls estimate 45% to 60% of people who voted for Le Pen will transfer their vote to Sarkozy in the second round, whereas 18% to 26% would support Hollande. That is still not enough for Sarkozy to win as he would need another 20% to make the gains needed. Many votes for Le Pen came from women, blue collar workers and voters that lived in rural areas, particularly in the Gard region of France.

In the end, though, Sarkozy’s lurch to the right seems to have done him few favours in this election. Though the anti-immigration and anti-European vote went primarily to Le Pen, Sarkozy has reiterated that if elected he will “defend the French way of life”, reduce immigration and secure France’s borders. The President emphatically stated there were not 6.5 million fascists in France.

Both Hollande and Sarkozy have realised Le Pen’s supporters could hold the key to their electoral success on May 6th, although in reality many may not vote in the second round.

Hollande stated on Friday that limiting illegal immigration during an economic crisis was “essential”, and said that if he takes office he will ask Parliament to fix the number of immigrants allowed into France every year. He has stated, however, that he was not prepared to seduce Le Pen’s vote at any price and would seek to give residents who are non-European citizens the right to vote in local elections.

In the national daily Libération Hollande stated:

“There is a part of the Le Pen electorate that comes from the left… Who are against privilege, against globalisation, against a Europe that doesn’t work. It’s up to me to convince them that it is the left that will defend them.”

 


See also:

It’s Sarko v Hollande, part deux 23 Apr 2012

France decides (round 1) 20 Apr 2012

Desperate Sarkozy cranks up the anti-immigration rhetoric 14 Mar 2012

Le Pen’s fascists claim French youngsters are ‘joining in their droves’ 28 Feb 2012

Why we should worry about the poison of Le Pen 17 Feb 2012


 

There is a final televised debate on the May 2nd between Hollande and Sarkozy to make their last bids to the French voters.

If elected, once Hollande takes up office we will see whether he will govern France as a centrist or leftist. With France potentially on the brink of an economic crisis – their credit rating having been downgraded recently – the programmes and policies implemented will need to have a strong impact for France to turn her fortunes around.

 


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11 Responses to “Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen vote”

  1. Pulp Ark

    Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen… http://t.co/AWHuQwUg #MultilateralForeignPolicy #elections #France #muslim #tcot #sioa

  2. Max - The IT Pro

    Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen vote: http://t.co/dzihAoB4 – @sanchia46 with the latest from the French elections

  3. jmulligan

    this result is the lighting rod for Euro govs – RT @leftfootfwd: Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen vote http://t.co/39b75s9F

  4. leftlinks

    Left Foot Forward – Sarkozy and Hollande chase the disaffected Le Pen vote http://t.co/X3O6lZsL

  5. MK DAMODARAN

    Who will have the last laugh in the May 6 French Presidential election?
    Numbers 5 and 6 play prominent roles in the election.
    Nicolas Sarkozy is strongly influenced by 5.
    His name begins with the 14th alphabet ‘N’.
    The first name carries occult number 23(2+3=5).
    The second name also bears occult number 23.
    The name,Nicolas Sarkozy carries 14 characters.

    He was born on January 28,1955.
    By virtue of his birth date,numbers 1 and 4 are strongly significant.
    His occult number is 23.
    He is the 23rd President of French Republic
    Carla Bruni was born on December 23,1967
    It is interesting to note that number 23 has strong significance in the life of Sarkozy.
    It is seen that Sarkozy had married Married Marie-Dominique Culioli on a 23rd!(September 23,1982).
    Number 23 adds up to 5(2+3=5).
    Sarkozy’s marriage with Culioli lasted for 14 years
    See,14 adds up to 5(1+4=5).
    Sarkozy married Cecilia in 1996.
    His son Louis was born on April 23,1997.
    The year 2012 represents 5.
    This is a lucky factor for Sarkozy.
    Marine Le pen was born on August 5,1968.
    By astrological and numerological reasons her support is likely to be in favour of Sarkozy.
    Francois holland:-
    He was born on August 12,1954.
    Numbers 3,6 and 9 are strongly lucky for him.
    So,the election date 6 is lucky for him.
    Number 4 is lucky for Obama.
    He was elected in the November 4 US Presidential election.
    Number 7 is lucky for George W Bush.
    He was first elected in the November 7 Presidential election(predicted by me).
    Number 2 is lucky for MS Dhoni.
    Dhoni lifted the Cricket World Cup 2011 on April 2-as the 2nd captain(predicted by me).
    These factors are favourable hints for Holland.
    Conclusion:-
    The electoral fight will be neck and neck.
    Whatever may be the present opinion poll,it is ridiculous to write off Sarkozy!

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