|
by someone
As I know that we just can't get enough of the upcoming French presidential elections I thought I'd do a quick rundown on how the campaign so far has been covered in the Swedish media. I found it rather instructive. It seems like the Swedish media has largely completely internalised the inevitability of neoliberal economics. On several occasions the frustrated Swedish journalists note how French politicians seem to fail to grasp how the future is here, it's reform or die, and France should really think of the rest of Europe and get on with it already.
Worth noting for those who think that Social Democracy in the Swedish manner is a good thing: I think, that in Sweden even the Social Democrats have come to terms with the inevitabilities of the market and the neoliberal policies it demands. There is no other option worth talking about, and France is seen as simply backwards. I see this as a strong reason to be very wary of the 'Scandinavian model'. It is not really all that left anymore. Disclaimer: I give no guarantee that these articles are in fact representational of Swedish coverage of the French presidential elections. I did some searching of major Swedish newspapers, and grabbed some stuff that was interesting, or seemed to be reoccuring. Below are brief summaries of the main points I found. I think the French elections might offer us a very nice opportunity to do a comparison of media across Europe. A kind of snapshot of the European media landscape, in other words. So, let me encourage others to take a look at how the media of some other nation covers this. Do they all (as I suspect) recycle the same ideas and the same narratives? From the diaries -- whataboutbob
SVT (Swedish Television): Swedish TV has a 2min 52sec clip of Ségo doing an election/listening meeting in Grenoble, as well as an article describing her campaign. First we get a mention of the 'Ségo-sphere' of youth who are very excited about her campaign and its openness. Then a description of her participative campaigning method and the enthusiasm it inspires in some, but also how it is becoming a weakness in facing off with Sarkozy who already has a programme. Further, her speech at this meeting is described as boring, occasionally uncertain, and uninspiring with only a few occurrences of audience excitement. It is noted that some people leave while she is speaking. Then it is on to her famous gaffes on foreign policy, as well as her trouble with a French comedian. Finely we are told that Sarkozy currently leads, but that the campaign has just begun. Sydsvenskan, from the opinion pages: What would one expect to read in an opinion piece in Sydsvenskan, a southern Swedish paper which is clearly on the right of the Swedish political spectrum? Perhaps a rehash of France's weaknesses as already well established by the English language business press? Yes, indeed! France, a land with great troubles. Unlike Britain it is protectionist in a globalising world. Weak growth and terrible unemployment numbers. Remember those violent riots in the suburbs in 2005? A clear sign of a stagnant economy and failed integration policies! The country is still relevant because its influence in Europe, where it totally screwed up the constitution for everyone else. Further it is noted that necessary economic reforms are not good election politics, with Le Pen indicated as causing trouble as a populist alternative. Sarkozy is seen as a bit better than Royal for breaking with the present crippling attachment to the welfare state, but he is still too protectionist. Ends with Royal's poor polling numbers, and the failure of the release of her program to boost the numbers. Expressen: (Swedish tabloid) Notes that Ségolène Royal has become the Socialist candidate for president. Then moves on to ask if she will dare to implement the necessary reforms in France. Things have been going poorly for France for a long time. The country has enormous deficits, terrible unemployment and growth is much too low. French politicians have failed to open up the country, rampant protectionism, and resistance to globalisation. CPE is described as a modest proposal to improve the situation for youths, and Villepin is pointed to as a coward for backing down in the face of violent protests. A bit more on over protected labour market in France which keeps youth and immigrants out of the job market. "France has in other words the same problems as Sweden, but ten times worse." Ends with concluding that the rule of Chirac is thankfully soon over, and now the country is ripe for a large dose of economic liberalisation. "But in France liberalism is a bad word." Sarko is seen as a good neoliberal, but as bad on restrictive immigration. Ségo's program was not in existance, but it is noted that she admires Blair, who has continued along the path of Thatcher, who is credited with bringing Britain out of a deadlock much like the present French one. Expressen: Another leading article trying to find the most economically liberal candidate in the French elections. "France is the sick man of Europe and needs serious reforms to stand in the new world. None of the French presidential candidates are convincing, they don't have the courage to tell the French voters the truth. [...] This does not bode well, for France or for Europe."
Svenska Dagbladet: Continental Europe is in trouble. Poor economic performance in Germany, France and Italy. Worse unemployment than in the US, UK or Ireland. Continental Europe must reform! Bring in Phelps, please. Yup, here we go! Phelps piece on 'dynamism' is referenced. Problem of Europe: Too low rate of innovation. The state has its fingers in the market too much in Europe. The culture is to blame. Now, compare to proposals by Ségolène Royal. "According to Phelps, France is one of the countries in most dire need of reforms. Royal would bring reforms, but aiming in the wrong direction." She will give an even larger role for the state. The horror! She wants to bring in social issues to the future European constitution, and raise the minimum wage in France, all bad things. Sarko on the other hand is a good neoliberal. Lower taxes and more much needed freedom for entrepreneurs. He is seen as bad on immigration, Ségo as better. She would, however, totally stagnate the French economy. Bad, bad Ségo. Svenska Dagbladet: Who is Ségolène Royal? Article looks at a book by Aymeric Montoux and Benoit Simmat: Ségolène Royal: La dame aux deux visages. Covers where she comes from, what she might stand for, her political career, and how it fits in with the French socialist party. Svenska Dagbladet: This is the Sarko version of the article above, by the same journalist, who in this case takes a look at Sarko's book: Témoignage. Same kind of "Who is he" story. The fight with Chirac and Villepin is centre stage. Svenska Dagbladet: Notes that Sarko has been going up, and Ségo down in the polls. Talks a bit about accusations against Sarko for abuse of power in using the security police to investigate his opponents, as well as the investigation into who stole the scooter of his son. Points to earlier accusations against Ségo and Hollande of tax evasion, and to Ségo's foreign policy gaffes. Svenska Dagbladet: Here it is, finally, the presidential program of Ségolène Royal. Heavy on social issues, and developed with a new method of citizen input. The right to a home, education, and health care with increased minimum wage, smaller school classes in problem areas, mandatory schooling from age 3, and 10000 Euro interest free loans to all 18 year olds. We then get another run through of her sinking polling numbers and many gaffes. Dagens Nyheter: Ségolène Royal has become the French socialist party candidate for president. But the French socialist party is not a Nordic social democratic party. It is far away from accepting the inevitability of market principles and their demand for economic reform and adaption. "A liberal is a dangerous market economist in France" Then we get a bit on her novel approach of citizen involvement in programme development. Nicolas Sarkozy is also trying to be a new kind of candidate for France. He is very good at being at the spot when something happens. Concluding that France is facing an epochal election where both main candidates promise a new France. Dagens Nyheter: Ségo's gaffes in Beirut are mentioned. Dagens Nyheter: Sarkozy has officially become the presidential candidate of the right. He delivered a rhetorically skillful, emotional and very, very long speech. He presented himself as softer and more humble, promising to keep Turkey out of the EU, punish criminals, and force member referendums in unions before strikes. Day care for kids, 700000 new housing units, and state backed loans for home buying. After his speech he leads in opinion polls. Reports on problems within Royal's campaign. During a meeting a phone was left off the hook so that Le Monde's reporters could listen in on the disarray of the Socialist. Dagens Nyheter: Ségolène Royal has gone into higher gear with the release of her programme. First, let's note the ups and downs in the polls of Sarko and Ségo, and how lately they have favoured Sarko. Ségo has been criticised for her participative method that has delayed the release of her programme. But, now a new start, with enthusiastic socialist party members in Villepinte. A clear left programme was presented. Increase in minimum wage and small pensions. Educational initiatives, military training for trouble youth, democratic reforms of the republic. Environmental issues gets a large spot in her programme. |
Menu
. Home
. About . Contact . New User Guide . FAQ . Search . Search (Google) . Archives (Wiki) Art, Economics, Energy, Environment, EU Politics, Mech & Tech, By Country Login
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
French election + Swedish media | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
French election + Swedish media | 35 comments (35 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
