Taste of Right is proving irresistible to French

[T_i_B]

Source: Daily Telegraph

It is the confluence of "la France profonde" - deepest France - and its urban epicentre.

Rungis, Europe's biggest food market, just south of Paris, is also a sounding board for the political mood. And with less than a week to go before Sunday's voting in the presidential election, it was clear yesterday that France is moving to the Right.

Those who work there - from socialist porters to Right-wing suppliers of Paris's top kitchens - agree on one thing: France, for so long hampered by stifling employment laws and a groaning welfare system, needs to get back to work.

"Socialism, well we've done that. We don't need more of the Left, we have all the social protection we need. If they win, it's the end of the road," said Thierry Dumesnil, 40, shifting huge wedges of brie and other cheeses for his wholesale employer. He intends to vote "without passion" for Nicolas Sarkozy, the Right-wing front runner.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/17/wfra17.xml

[youngdem]

1. I suspect this is largely due to unrest among the young immigrant population

Many French now feel that France is under siege by the immigrant Muslim population that does not wish to assimilate into French culture, and that is pissing off the French who are of course famously protective and proud of their culture.

The job riots scared the shit out of many people, and I bet this is the reaction - a 'send em back' attitude and a hostility toward the socialist state that makes immigration so easy.

[Bigmack]

8. Fear...

The right always appeals to Fear.

Afraid of immigrants? Vote Right.

Afraid of globalism? Vote Right.

[youngdem]

16. Huh? If you are afraid of globalism and outsourcing, wouldn't you vote left?

You know, the party of protectionism, unions, worker rights?

:shrug:

[JVS]

19. not if it's the "new left" which seems a lot like the old libertarians

[pampango]

22. I beg to differ...

Afraid of immigrants? Vote Right. (from fear, not "enlightened self-interest)

Afraid of globalism? Vote Left. (from "enlightened self-interest, not fear) ;)

[jody]

2. Is France evolving toward Social-Capitalism?

Social-Capitalism

[non sociopath skin]

3. The Telegraph, a paper of the right and, till recently, Conrad Black's mouthpiece ...

... has a peculiar habit of finding people to interview who just happen to agree with its editorial line.

I would take its opinions with a very hefty pinch of salt.

The Skin

[Laughing Mirror]

4. Latest polls for gen election have Sarko & Ségo neck and neck, each at 50%

The nauseating little Sarkozy actually lost one point, while Ségolene Royal gained a point. So yeah, this Telegrah report is definitely slanted, to say the least. I don't think the country is necessarily moving any more to the right than it already is. Look at the last election, when the choice was between Chirac and Le Pen, both right wing, although Le Pen takes it to the extreme. Of course, the more moderate Chirac has been president for the last 12 years, so even if, God forbid, Sarkozy wins, it won't mean that France is moving to the right. It will just mean France hasn't budged.

[Joe Chi Minh]

15. Spot on!

[Donnachaidh]

5. and if the right gets into power --

you can kiss your social protections goodbye.

They are so quick to comment on American politics -- but have they REALLY been paying attention?

[Solo_in_MD]

6. French versions of left and right are now where near ours

It is surprising to see Royal make such a strong comeback

[Donnachaidh]

7. not YET.

one world -- globalization.

[arcos]

23. Lots of things get globalized...

Thankfully, the US's political spectrum does not.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Ehhhhh

The current President is from the same party as the current front runner. The Conservative party.

I don't think much will change.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. More from the Guardian (a British paper I tend to like more than the Telegraph)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,2058796,00.html

[non sociopath skin]

14. Although "Le Figaro," from which the direst predictions come, is the French equivalent ...

... of the Telegraph and solidly pro-Sarko.

The Skin

[aquart]

11. "We have all the social protection we need."

Spoiled brat. He has no idea how fast France will lose it all.

[MGKrebs]

12. Another story from the other day (MSNBC):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18127494/


French flee stagnant economy
No. 1 election issue is job creation

[hogwyld]

13. Please France, don't do it

The grass is NOT greener over here. Electing Sarko will be like electing chimpy jr.

[Odin2005]

17. The Telegraph is the British quivalent of Faux "News". The article smells like BS.

[T_i_B]

18. Actually...

...the British equivalent of Faux news is The Sun, also owned by Rupert Murdoch and a whole lot more downmarket.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/

And then after that there is the Daily Mail and Daily Express. The Telegraph is actually one of the more reputable UK papers.

[JVS]

20. Oh what a surprise another "socialist" country looks to the right

As always happens when the economic basis is capitalism

[Sgent]

21. France has some real problems

not the least of which is endemic unemployment (much higher than ours) and underemployment. Some of the solutions probably require loosening some worker protections.