Le Pen again?

[Drake Tungsten]

That song really sucked...

[Spiffor]

You say that because you're a Sarkozist

[Lawrence of Arabia]

pourquoi est ce quil a giclé le petit?

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
That song really sucked...

It's a parody of a French pop tube - the lyrics are brilliant and fit perfectly with the original rythm.

[Drake Tungsten]

It's a parody of a French pop tube

No, it isn't. I don't even know what a pop "tube" is...

[Spiffor]

So, since yesterday we know exactly who gets to be a candidate. THere are 12 of them.

Here it is, in alphabetical order:

François Bayrou


Candidate of the Union for French Democracy.
He sees himself akin to the "Christian-democrats" that exist in many neighbouring countries. However, he doesn't tout this image so much, because of the French distrust of religion in politics.
His core issues are 1. The debt, as he promised to constitutionally ban an unbalanced budget. 2. Governing above party lines, by having "the smartest" from both left and right in his future cabinet. 3. Switching to the 6th Republic and promoting a federal Europe (while he used to be vocal on that point, he's now quite discreet about it).


Olivier Besancenot


Candidate for the Communist Revolutionary League
Youngest candidate in this election, though he is a seasoned one, as he already ran in 2002 and brought a record score to his party. Trotskyist, of the mild kind.
His main issues are wealth redistribution, and there's a notable room on the agenda against police oppression.
Catch-phrase: "Our lives are worth more than their profits"


José Bové


Candidate for a group that has no strict name (that I'm aware of)
Peasant leader, and a strong voice in the alter-globalization groups. He led an attack on a McDonald's during the fight against the "malbouffe", and he led groups to cut down GM corn.
As a far-left candidate, his main issue is with wealth redistribution. However, he adds a strong hint of environmentalism, and international concerns. Like Besancenot and Buffet, he supports a 6th Republic.


Marie-George Buffet


Candidate of the Popular and Antiliberal Left
Backed by the French Communist Party. She, Bové and Besancenot tried to be allied for that election, but the attempt failed in 2006.
She used to be sports minister in 1997-2002. She has led the Communist Party for the past 5 years. First time she runs for the presidential office.
Her main issues are with wealth redistribution, 6th Republic. There's also a strong case about housing and social relationships. Among the "three B" (Bové-Buffet-Besancenot), she is the one who puts most emphasis on material issues. She and Bové share a very similar platform, as they both claim to defend the unitarian platform that was agreed upon.


More later, but now I should really be in bed

[Kuciwalker]

You have a sports minister?