The French presidential election

As this semester I've been reading two books about expat life in France and as this was last weeks' top news item, I focused my attention on the French presidential election. In the manner of an investigative journalist I've spent this week collecting information on all that is worth knowing about France, the one-time president Jacques Chirac and his potential successors in office.

1. FRANCE: KEY FACTS AND FIGURES

France is the second largest country by area in continental Europe. Two-thirds of the country is made up of mountains, the highest being Mont Blanc (4,808 m).

France has a number of territories overseas which together with mainland France and the island of Corsica form the 26 administrative regions of the country.

The history of France after World War II was marked by the painful period of decolonisation the culmination of which was the creation of the Fifth Republic in 1959.

The French economy heavily depends on the service industry, manufacturing and agriculture. Especially tourism is an economic branch that brings France astronomic sums of money as 75 million people visit France year after year.
Currently, though, the economy is ailing and France has one of the highest unemployment rates in the EU namely 9,8% of the population is without a job.

The economy is in a historic low partly because the government controlls the key industries (public transport, power) and partly because the French laws are rigid and the tax burdens high, so many businesses have great difficulties coping in an increasingly globalised world.

As far as the French society is concerned, France has the fifth largest population rate in the EU (63 million inhabitants). Those who are employed enjoy a high standard of living in comparison with other EU countries and free healthcare. The state also offers subsidised childcare to women who want to start working again after having been pregnant. Accordingly, France has the highest rate of female employment in the EU.
France is also a very popular destination amongst immigrants (4.9 million are currently living in France). However, the immigrant population has been facing grave problems in France in recent years as the government has been unsuccessfully attempting to make them "French".

2. JACQUES CHIRAC'S PRESIDENCY

The office of president is a coveted one in France as the president, unlike in many other EU countries, plays a significant role in implementing the policy of the government. Jacques Chirac was able to hold it for twelve years.

His political career began some 40 years ago when he first became a government minister. From 1977 to 1995, when he had to step down because of financial scandals, Chirac was the mayor of Paris. His presence was such that from the moment people met him, they fell under his spell.

In 1995 and again in 2002 Chirac was elected French president and entered the Elysee Palace, his residence.

What kind of France is Chirac leaving behind?

On the international stage he was successful in repairing the French relations with former colonies. He was also an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq which gained him sympathies in France and some other countries, but this opinion of his also frailed the French relationship with the USA and the UK.

On the home front his policy failed on many fronts. The unemployment has reached enormous proportions, the economic growth is extremely low and because of his suspicion of globalisation, the contemporary French economy is gradually falling apart. What he failed in completely is to bring France in tune with modernity.

3. WHO MIGHT BECOME HIS SUCCESSOR?

The results of the first round of voting, which was held on the 22 of April, say that the second round will see a battle between centre-right candidate Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal.


Opinion polls in the aftermath of the first round of voting show that Sarkozy, who wishes to cut taxes and illegal immigration, will win the second round on the 6 of May. Still anything is possible as Royal, who wants to raise the minimum wage and cut French dependence on nuclear power, is only a few points behind Sarkozy.

I promise I'll keep you posted on the French presidential battle whose outcome might come as a great surprise to the French citizens.

My sources:
1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6582479.stm (about the election and France in general)

2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6578581.stm (about Jacques Chirac)

3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6582479.stm (the candidates' profiles)