French Elections : Will Le Pen make it to the second round?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, not that this wasn't expected. I mean if you followed the French elections, you'd know that people were pissed at both Chirac and Jospin. First and foremost the fact that both delayed declaring they were running so they could get a political advantage closer to the election (even though everyone knew they would).

What happened is that Le Pen was the victor in all this and Jospin the loser. I mean, Jospin's allies had much more choice in the form of other parties. Chirac's supporters really didn't have much else except Chirac.

And this is why Socialists will not win, because they divide themselves waaaay too much .

[Bereta_Eder]

Dal, I'm sorry that you see it this way.
It's not like that at all, believe me.

The two things: 1) Holocaust 2) Present Israeli policies in the occupied territories are not linked but it interests some people to link them so to get sympathy for Israel.

Jewish people and what they have been through are one thing.
Israel's policies in the Middle east are another.

BTW, from all people you chose me to tell me I'm not open to other opinions/points of view... Well, all I can say is, you're wrong


Natan,
Violence against Greek Jews is considered like violence against Greek Orthodox (or Greek whatever) or foreign citizen whatever. It is true, it simply does not happen (based on religion/race - there might be violence for other reasons though: a car - accident argument for example )

But there is police discrimination against immigrants (mainly Albanians) and to a lesser degree against Gypsies. IMO this is the first subject to be addressed in Greece now (from a human rights point of view).



About Norway: I don't know what things unfortunately. I heard a broadcasting about this in TV5 (International French - speaking chanel). The jewish pupils of these norwegian schools were harrassed by their co-pupils (specifically for being jewish) and they had to change schools. That's what it said.
It was a broadcasting about anti-semitism in Europe.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
And this is why Socialists will not win, because they divide themselves waaaay too much .

Nah, it's because we actually hold our leaders accountable, instead of following them blindly like right-wing sheep. If they fail to do what we put them their for, we let them lose. What's the point of voting for the left, and getting what the right wants anyway?

[Ecthy]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Schröder's party just got b*tch-slapped in Saxony-Anhalt. The Christian-Dems have recovered from their mess with Kohl, and the big surprise is the Party of Democraitc Socialism, the commies, are in second place.

Let that be a lesson to all wishy-washy social democrats. Kiss the asses of your class enemies and you will be removed from power when your party base abstains from voting.

You're missing my point. He counted Haider, Berlusconi and Le Pen as examples for populism, and then Schröder. It's basically nonsense, because the former are (merely) right-wing populists while the latter has a halfway decent international reputation for being a serious politician. Like Blair.

No personal point of view included.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Nah, it's because we actually hold our leaders accountable, instead of following them blindly like right-wing sheep. If they fail to do what we put them their for, we let them lose.

Can't compromise... this is a major failing of the left. If you can't get everything you want, you don't want anything.

It is better to be elected with someone you agree with 75% of the time, than not to be elected at all.

[Kropotkin]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
It is quite thick to have Schröder in that list, but I'm not surprised by you any more.

He shouldn't, I mixed him up with Haider while writing. me and names, always seem to mix 'em up... Oh well not that much of a difference.

[Bereta_Eder]

Social Deocracy is in turmoil in Europe. Few countries will hold that up. Even in Greece which has had Social Democratic government for 20 whole years (with the exception of 3 years) the latest polls indicate that when the elections come up (in 2 years or so) the right wing will win them.

Then again the SDs have managed to turn around things many mnay times. You never know.

But the bad thing is, you can't tell the difference any more...

[Colon™]

Originally posted by Eli


I guess you're right.
I'm thinking in "best for the Jews" terms.

IMHO Le Pen would be more likely to chase the millions of Muslims out of France than to touch a hair on a Jew's head.

[Ecthy]

I shall forgive one last time, Schröder is a git anyway

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, it goes in cycles... you have in 80s, a more right leaning view in the world, and then in the 90s, a more left leaning view... and now it seems to shift back to the right .

[Ecthy]

Originally posted by Colon
IMHO Le Pen would be more likely to have the millions of Muslims scurrying out of France than to touch a hair on a Jew's head.

why is that?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Though you can point to Hungary for a leftist victory .

http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/04/21/hungary.election/index.html

[Kropotkin]

maybe it's time for a Simpson quite: [a member of the jury during the trial against sideshow bob] "He speaks german, he can't be evil!"

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
why is that?

His main problem is with the immigrants... ie, Muslims.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Well, it goes in cycles... you have in 80s, a more right leaning view in the world, and then in the 90s, a more left leaning view... and now it seems to shift back to the right .

It seems to be that way doesn't it?

Immigration plays now a significant role in the buffign up of the right wing.

I'm surprised the New Democracy (Greece's right wing party) hasn't picked that line yet...