Update Sunday night: As polls close at 8 p.m. it appears that Nicolas Sarkozy and Segelene Royal will go through to the second round of voting. Sarkozy is projected to have 30 percent of the vote; Royal follows with 25.2 percent. Both candidates will seek votes of Francois Bayrou's supporters in the second round on May 6. Eighty-five percent of French voters turned out to cast their ballots Sunday, the highest turnout since General Charles de Gaulle ran for re-election in 1965.
French voters go to the polls Sunday in the first round of voting for a new president. Center-right candidate Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segelene Royal are expected to make it through to the second round.
But the "third man," centrist candidate Francois Bayrou could throw a spanner into the works. If Sarkozy and Royal make it through the first round, Bayrou will be courted to throw his support - and that of his followers - behind one leading contender.
French media reports that a day before the election, approximately 16 million voters remain undecided. More than one million newly-registered voters are expected to cast their vote. The second round of voting is May 6.
Many voters will make their choice based on deep-rooted suspicion of immigrants. Far-right candidate Jean-Marie LePen has called for a complete ban on immigration to France, while Sarkozy has courted some of LePen's supporters by vowing to establish a Department of Immigration. Sarkozy - himself the son of a Hungarian-born immigrant - is already unpopular with certain segments of the population after taking a hard line against young immigrant rioters in the banlieues protesting the lack of job opportunities and adequate housing. Both Royal and Bayrou are widely considered to be more accepting of immigrants' rights.
Last Sunday I was at the Marche aux Puces at Porte de Clignacourt with a friend visiting from the United States. While standing in line at the one ATM/cash machine within all of Clignacourt, the proprietor of a shop next to the ATM apparently became concerned about the length of the line and the "rabble" standing outside her doorway. She had her assistant erect a large ladder (pictured above) in front of her doorway to keep people away from the glass walls of her shop.
The "rabble" to whom she referred consisted of people from all nationalities, politely waiting their turn. No one was talking loudly or playing music; still the woman came out of her store, muttering about "immigrants taking over." A well-dressed African woman accompanied by her two well-behaved children turned and shouted at the woman, saying that she was just as French as she was. "It's racists like you, who are ruining La France!" she exclaimed, to polite applause of the people waiting in line.
Look, I'm learning at art school: that poster was designed after Barbara Kruger, renowned feminist poster artist of the glorious 80's.
Posted by: jordapeach | 09 August 2007 at 21:09
That fear based mentality would not bode well in Canada with our diverse population! Sadly that attitude stays covertly dormant as socially unacceptable in most circles…but still occurs! Schools are adamant about teaching acceptance! Racist attitudes paint an ugly color!
Peace Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 23 April 2007 at 21:21
Thanks for sharing this with us.
I find such kind of situation dangerous, but sadly the right-wings everywhere are encouraging such thoughts.
Even though there is quite a lot effort in helping immigrants to integrate into the Swedish society, somehow it is not working very well. Immigrants inevitably reside in certain areas and usually those are labelled as the danger zones.
Posted by: Kikare | 23 April 2007 at 16:29
I am going to be visiting Paris last month, and so I am especially interested in what's going on there politically. THanks for your post!
Posted by: Writer Bug | 22 April 2007 at 23:48
Tara,
Sadly, ignorance is the root of all fear.
rel
Posted by: rel | 22 April 2007 at 23:46
Great reading about the political situation in France.Why has immigration become such an issue all over the world? What happened to World Citizen?
Posted by: gautami | 22 April 2007 at 18:40
Interesting read. Immigration is such a hot topic, wow. BTW I, too, loved the photos of Normandy. Am sharing with a friend whose dad was there in ww2. Have a great week.
Posted by: Jone | 22 April 2007 at 15:52
Good luck France with your election.
I hope the one who can serve ALL people best wins!
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 22 April 2007 at 10:18
Oy...this battle seems to be everywhere at once right now--doors slamming everywhere.
Can't wait to read your update of the elections!
Posted by: Mardougrrl | 22 April 2007 at 09:20
I wonder why there is this upsurge in xenophobia? It's the case here in the UK as well. It can be so very demoralising at times.
Posted by: gino | 22 April 2007 at 08:51
You can almost feel the fervour in people's determination to vote. For whom is another question. I think the 2002 vote when far right candidate Jena-Marie Le Pen slipped into the second round is weighing heavily on this vote. Let's wait and see.
As they like to say here: "Vive la République, Vive la France." Nice post, Tara.
Posted by: Rethabile | 22 April 2007 at 07:42
Change holds all sorts of possibility ... a good outcome would be an increase in tolerance and decrease in racism and bigotry. Bonne chance, France. JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 22 April 2007 at 07:37
I was wondering if you knew whether the poster was designed by Barbara Kruger; it looks very similar to her work.
Posted by: Christine | 22 April 2007 at 03:14
How dose voting go in France? Do a lot of people use thei rright to vote? Or is like here. :(
I love that the hutzpah of that lady. ;)
:)
Posted by: amber | 22 April 2007 at 02:58
It's such a strange thought to me, that the same country that celebrated our independent and welcoming spirit with the Statue of Liberty, should now be torn over the issue of immigration - but then here we are the country WITH the Statue of Liberty, feeling torn apart by that same issue. I wish politicians could discuss these issues rationally, without fueling peoples fears and reigniting any latent bigotry.
It will be interesting to see how the elections turn out. But isn't that a Chinese curse of some sort, 'living in interesting times?'
Thanks for keeping us updated, Tara. Hope you're having a happy weekend! XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 22 April 2007 at 01:11
This is such a strange world we are living in ... when will certain people discover we are all one with the planet and each one of us has a contribution to make for peace and harmony??
Posted by: jzr | 21 April 2007 at 20:51
I haven't managed to get a decent post together about this election...so many aspects to think about. And I'm still so worked up about politics in the USA, GRRR!
Your sums things up very nicely.
I can't wait to know the results tomorrow though. And I have dual nationality now, so I even get to vote!
Posted by: Betty C. | 21 April 2007 at 20:47
"immigrants taking over."
Deeply rooted suspicions are everywhere, aren't they? Will be watching the French election to see how much this sentiment influences the results. Is it so tricky to look at people for who they are, rather than where they came from? I guess so.
Posted by: ally bean | 21 April 2007 at 19:34
Interesting post. I am fascinated by the French elections. They most definitely be intriguing.
Posted by: Beaman | 21 April 2007 at 18:07
Some feel that way here as well. Yesterday I heard a wonderful essay on NPR spoken by a righ wing Republican who was confessing that he likes France. Mostly it was about how impressed he was with how the elections are run.
I'm scribbling.
Posted by: colleen | 21 April 2007 at 18:01
Gosh! - The same things happen here in the US. Rude, rude!
Posted by: bella | 21 April 2007 at 17:51
Oh, those last two paragraphs were powerful... it seems impossible for all of us to get along sometimes... why?
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 21 April 2007 at 17:18
Hi Tara,
I've been enjoying your pictures of Normandy this week. Your post today echoes the debate in America over immigration.
Posted by: Brian | 21 April 2007 at 17:07
How exciting Tara, let us know how it ends. At least the candidates have definitive sides and don't play games about where they stand. American politics you just never really know. XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 21 April 2007 at 16:59
This is very interesting Tara keep us posted as to the tone of the country. I am amazed by the honesty of the candidates in relation to their beliefs refreshing and scary at the same time.
Glad I am home from vacation I have missed your incredible blog!
XO
Kristen
Posted by: kristen robinson | 21 April 2007 at 16:29
wow!
I have been reading and trying to keep up with the election.....as much as I find it fascinating from a behavioural perspective, it also scares me to feel the intolerance emanating from France. It's like theres lava under the crust and it just may erupt.
It has erupted in pockets of violence I realize, but reading your observations and experience in front of the store tells me that it's even more serious than I had realized.....it has become part of the fabric of community thinking.
I would love to read more of your insights and observations as this election unfolds.
Posted by: awareness | 21 April 2007 at 16:22