Never has a defeated candidate looked so happy or known himself to be so important. The centrist politician François Bayrou refused yesterday to give his support to either of the remaining contenders for the French presidency and announced that he was creating a new party to break the "undemocratic" left-right mould of French politics. However, Mr Bayrou - in a press conference in which he savoured and weighed every word - accepted an offer from the Socialist candidate, Ségolène Royal, to meet him for a public debate before the second round of the election a week on Sunday. Mme Royal later invited him to join her at a "forum" with the regional press on Friday. M. Bayrou, who came third in Sunday's first round with 18.5 per cent of the vote, is in a pivotal position to influence the outcome of the second round on 6 May. He refused to wield that influence directly yesterday but came close to hinting a personal preference for Mme Royal or, at least, a greater personal distaste for the centre-right candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy. He criticised both the remaining candidates. He rejected as "impossible in the present situation" Mme Royal's suggestion that he might enter a "rainbow" government of left and centre if she became President.
Never has a defeated candidate looked so happy or known himself to be so important. The centrist politician François Bayrou refused yesterday to give his support to either of the remaining contenders for the French presidency and announced that he was creating a new party to break the "undemocratic" left-right mould of French politics.
However, Mr Bayrou - in a press conference in which he savoured and weighed every word - accepted an offer from the Socialist candidate, Ségolène Royal, to meet him for a public debate before the second round of the election a week on Sunday. Mme Royal later invited him to join her at a "forum" with the regional press on Friday.
M. Bayrou, who came third in Sunday's first round with 18.5 per cent of the vote, is in a pivotal position to influence the outcome of the second round on 6 May.
He refused to wield that influence directly yesterday but came close to hinting a personal preference for Mme Royal or, at least, a greater personal distaste for the centre-right candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy.
He criticised both the remaining candidates. He rejected as "impossible in the present situation" Mme Royal's suggestion that he might enter a "rainbow" government of left and centre if she became President.
The big question is whether or not such support will actually sway voters. I am usually rather skeptical that it helps a great deal.
Yesterday, Bayrou said he wanted a TV debate. Royal said she wanted a debate in front of regional newspapers, but that this could be filmed. Bayrou said that he was okay for the debate in front of journalists if it showed on TV. Seems we're getting there...
The good news is that this talk is completely asphyxiating media attention for Sarkozy. They're not too happy about it. He says the only debate worth having is the Royal-Sarkozy one (the "final"). One of his sidekicks said the proposed Bayrou-Royal debate was 'unconstitutional', which is silly, but mostly reveals annoyance or even panic. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Although I wonder how much time should be counted for Royal, as she won't speak all the time, and Bayrou is not part of her campaign... In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Le débat entre Ségolène Royal et François Bayrou aura lieu samedi 28 avril à 11 heures et sera retransmis sur i-Télé, Canal+ et France Inter, a annoncé jeudi Jean-Louis Bianco, codirecteur de campagne de la candidate socialiste.
The debate between Bayrou and Royal will take place on Saturday, and will be broadcast on TV and radio (not the top channels, but still quite widely viewed/listened to). In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
I'm sleeping or in no state to listen to a debate, at that time in the week ! Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
