President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing party won a clear majority to carry through his reform program in France's legislative election Sunday but failed to get a widely predicted landslide. The Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) secured 319-329 seats in the 577-member National Assembly, 30-40 seats fewer than the old parliament, according to projections issued after polls closed in the decisive second round. Sarkozy's party had been expected to score a "blue wave" landslide after his stunning presidential election win in May. But amid a low turnout, the Socialist Party made a surprise comeback, increasing from 149 to 202-210 seats, according to the projections.
The Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) secured 319-329 seats in the 577-member National Assembly, 30-40 seats fewer than the old parliament, according to projections issued after polls closed in the decisive second round.
Sarkozy's party had been expected to score a "blue wave" landslide after his stunning presidential election win in May. But amid a low turnout, the Socialist Party made a surprise comeback, increasing from 149 to 202-210 seats, according to the projections.
Side note: the Eurostar offered to its First Class passengers the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and Le Figaro. It's clear what demographic they think they're serving.
[Disclaimer: for some incomprehensible reason the "leisure Select" ticket at the time I took it was the cheapest way to get back to London that day] Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
The only stuff I could see people reading around me was Libé (like me), the Nouvel Obs, or some serious-looking books. Not freebies, though - there were no hand-outs.
I got the feeling the kind of people who travel by TGV are more likely to lean left (even when the curve is to the right).
Glad Arno Klarsfeld lost too.
But the defeat of the hyped TV-VIP, Klarsfeld and the TF-Lawyer opposed to DSK is a comforting break with the election in Italy of countless hot Mediaset assets.
I wonder if it is due to the different elections rules (direct against list), or if the French are more resistant to the fascination of TV democracy. Or if Frenche and Italian are the same, and Berlusconi was simply wrong and his mediatisation was a negative masked by the dynamic of his party. La répartie est dans l'escalier. Elle revient de suite.
... the hyped TV-VIPs, Klarsfeld and the TF1-Lawyer La répartie est dans l'escalier. Elle revient de suite.
