So France goes to the polls today and it looks like conservative Nicolas Sarkozy is going to win. His socialist opponent Segoline Royal is pulling out all the stops of desperation warning a vote for Sarkozy is a vote for death and destruction, warning that if Sarkozy wins her supporters will lay waste to suburbs throughout France.
Is this a threat? Is it desperation politics? Or is it just typical leftwing behavior? Two very interesting articles answer that question, and more.
Reuters
Published: Friday, May 04, 2007
PARIS Socialist opponent Segolene Royal said on Friday that France risks violence and brutality if her opponent right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy wins Sundays presidential election.
On the last day of official campaigning, opinion polls showed Mr. Sarkozy enjoyed a commanding lead over Royal, who accused the former interior minister of lying and polarizing France.
Choosing Nicolas Sarkozy would be a dangerous choice, Ms. Royal told RTL radio.
It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of (his) candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country (if he won), she said.
Pressed on whether there would be actual violence, Mr. Royal said: I think so, I think so, referring specifically to Frances volatile suburbs hit by widespread rioting in 2005.
A relaxed Mr. Sarkozy laughed off her comments.
"Shes not in a good mood this morning. It must be the opinion polls", he told Europe 1 radio.
"Shes finishing in violence, in a certain state of feverishness", he told reporters during a trip to the Alps. "When I hear her remarks, I wonder why a woman of her qualities carries such violent feelings. It adds nothing to the debate."
www.canada.com/nationalpo...mp;k=54419
Meanwhile, Royal's supporters are also promising to rape and pillage the country if Sarkozy wins.
May 6, 2007
French suburbs threaten riotous dawn for the reign of Sarkozy
Grievances of left simmer as reform looms
Matthew Campbell, Paris
THE victims of Soviet communism would find it hard to understand, but a giant yellow banner was unfurled in the centre of Paris last week, bearing portraits of Lenin and Stalin. Only socialism can save the world it proclaimed in black ink.
Welcome to the annual May Day rally in Paris, always a festive affair. Salsa music blared from the back of a lorry and an aroma of barbecued Merguez sausages filled the air. Trotskyite militants handed out leaflets denouncing the capitalist system.
It was also a warning to Nicolas Sarkozy, the reform-minded conservative candidate for the presidency, of the trouble that may lie in wait for him if he wins the presidential election today and embarks on ambitious plans for modernising a country badly in need of renewal and disillusioned with its ruling elite.
Royal said she was issuing an alert that his victory could trigger violence and brutality across the country. His candidacy is dangerous. That is why I am asking voters to think twice.
Sarkozys increasingly confident team called such attacks outrageous but nobody disputed the possibility of a toxic brew of antiSarkozy grievances erupting in violence, particularly in the immigrant suburbs, if his victory is announced tonight.
Arab and African residents of the banlieues, as the suburbs are known, have been in an angry, vengeful mood since Sarkozy described young delinquents as scum and thugs in 2005.
The banlieues were not the only potential flashpoint, however. A different group of thugs could prove to be just as troublesome for a Sarkozy presidency.
One of Sarkozys first priorities was to introduce a law by July to curb the power of organised labour. The unions responded by turning their May Day parade last week into a giant protest against Sarko.
At the front of the parade was Bernard Thibault, leader of the CGT, Frances most powerful union. He should think twice about doing anything without negotiating with us, he said. If not, there will be reactions. Strong reactions.
In a cream linen jacket, the chain-smoking Thibault was flanked by muscle-bound heavies clutching their CGT banner. One said the march was a show of strength to remind Sarko to get ready for the third round of the election that will be fought on the street.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol...752195.ece
So let's see, we have socialists, Muslims, and trade unions, each threatening violence if they don't get their way. What else is new?
Go Sarko! :D
Is this a threat? Is it desperation politics? Or is it just typical leftwing behavior? Two very interesting articles answer that question, and more.
Reuters
Published: Friday, May 04, 2007
PARIS Socialist opponent Segolene Royal said on Friday that France risks violence and brutality if her opponent right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy wins Sundays presidential election.
On the last day of official campaigning, opinion polls showed Mr. Sarkozy enjoyed a commanding lead over Royal, who accused the former interior minister of lying and polarizing France.
Choosing Nicolas Sarkozy would be a dangerous choice, Ms. Royal told RTL radio.
It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of (his) candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country (if he won), she said.
Pressed on whether there would be actual violence, Mr. Royal said: I think so, I think so, referring specifically to Frances volatile suburbs hit by widespread rioting in 2005.
A relaxed Mr. Sarkozy laughed off her comments.
"Shes not in a good mood this morning. It must be the opinion polls", he told Europe 1 radio.
"Shes finishing in violence, in a certain state of feverishness", he told reporters during a trip to the Alps. "When I hear her remarks, I wonder why a woman of her qualities carries such violent feelings. It adds nothing to the debate."
www.canada.com/nationalpo...mp;k=54419
Meanwhile, Royal's supporters are also promising to rape and pillage the country if Sarkozy wins.
May 6, 2007
French suburbs threaten riotous dawn for the reign of Sarkozy
Grievances of left simmer as reform looms
Matthew Campbell, Paris
THE victims of Soviet communism would find it hard to understand, but a giant yellow banner was unfurled in the centre of Paris last week, bearing portraits of Lenin and Stalin. Only socialism can save the world it proclaimed in black ink.
Welcome to the annual May Day rally in Paris, always a festive affair. Salsa music blared from the back of a lorry and an aroma of barbecued Merguez sausages filled the air. Trotskyite militants handed out leaflets denouncing the capitalist system.
It was also a warning to Nicolas Sarkozy, the reform-minded conservative candidate for the presidency, of the trouble that may lie in wait for him if he wins the presidential election today and embarks on ambitious plans for modernising a country badly in need of renewal and disillusioned with its ruling elite.
Royal said she was issuing an alert that his victory could trigger violence and brutality across the country. His candidacy is dangerous. That is why I am asking voters to think twice.
Sarkozys increasingly confident team called such attacks outrageous but nobody disputed the possibility of a toxic brew of antiSarkozy grievances erupting in violence, particularly in the immigrant suburbs, if his victory is announced tonight.
Arab and African residents of the banlieues, as the suburbs are known, have been in an angry, vengeful mood since Sarkozy described young delinquents as scum and thugs in 2005.
The banlieues were not the only potential flashpoint, however. A different group of thugs could prove to be just as troublesome for a Sarkozy presidency.
One of Sarkozys first priorities was to introduce a law by July to curb the power of organised labour. The unions responded by turning their May Day parade last week into a giant protest against Sarko.
At the front of the parade was Bernard Thibault, leader of the CGT, Frances most powerful union. He should think twice about doing anything without negotiating with us, he said. If not, there will be reactions. Strong reactions.
In a cream linen jacket, the chain-smoking Thibault was flanked by muscle-bound heavies clutching their CGT banner. One said the march was a show of strength to remind Sarko to get ready for the third round of the election that will be fought on the street.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol...752195.ece
So let's see, we have socialists, Muslims, and trade unions, each threatening violence if they don't get their way. What else is new?
Go Sarko! :D
