So, another one enters the race to be president, and this time it's Sarkozy's old mucker Dominique de Villepin: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16133598 DdV has no chance of winning, but I suspect that a combination of him, Sarkozy's low popularity, a strong showing by the Front National, another tilt by Bayrou, and a poor showing for the Communists/PdG and Trots (who have suffered a split, which has gone to the PCF/PdG grouping) means that Francois Hollande is nailed on for one run-off place, and Marine Le Pen might edge out Sarko for the other. Meaning a Hollande win.

So, another one enters the race to be president, and this time it's Sarkozy's old mucker Dominique de Villepin: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16133598 DdV has no chance of winning, but I suspect that a combination of him, Sarkozy's low popularity, a strong showing by the Front National, another tilt by Bayrou, and a poor showing for the Communists/PdG and Trots (who have suffered a split, which has gone to the PCF/PdG grouping) means that Francois Hollande is nailed on for one run-off place, and Marine Le Pen might edge out Sarko for the other. Meaning a Hollande win.

The daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen no less.

The very same, indeed. And significantly more electable than her father, I suspect.

much more credible in the eyes of the french electorate with a broader spectrum of policies unlike her father who was seen as exclusivley playing the immigration card

she is gaining a lot of respect but Hollande is to be the red hot favourite for the presidency - a lot depends on how Sarko handles the euro zone crisis as Hollande is considered a bit of a parochial country-boy politician who would find it difficult in the hot seat when the big decisions have to be made - me, I will be voting for Marine if only to kerb immigration from the east which is affecting the job seekers in France as it seems to be doing in the UK.

I'm voting for Popeye Doyle.

… says an immigrant

incidentally, immigration from the east isn't what's making finding a job difficult for job seekers in the UK, that would be the austerity measures and cuts of a right wing govt wedded to 30 year old economic orthodoxy which never fitted the real world anyway, destroying actual jobs.

Much, I suspect, as is the case in France. And as is embedded in the heart of the Sarkozy-Merkel plan. Which is why Hollande has denounced it.

But hey, if immigrants from the east are an easier scapegoat …

It's interesting that unemployment in the UK is now at its highest since 1996 (the end of the last 17 year Tory government).



Seeing as a lot of people blame immigration for unemployment and unemployment was higher through the 1980s and 1990s and lower during the Labour government then why do the Tories have an open door policy on immigration surely Labour's policy on immigration was better for jobs?

I personally would vote for Villepin if I were living there, but that's because I'm an old-fashioned Gaullist. Sarkozy has has achieved nothing, NF isn't for me, the PS...well, at least they didn't pick a headcase or Royal, and the Trots no chance.

France has also had the intriguing spectacle of a prime minister who rejected Gaullism, and neoliberalism (as instituted by her own party in the preceding 5 years after the Mauroy experiment), and combined this with blaming it all on foreigners!

i'm a french citizen (passport & Carte d'Identité details on request) and as a french taxpayer I am quite entitled to my opinion

the various treaties,Schengen etc have damaged countries like France and Germany and amending the immigration laws so that if people want to work then great but for those who come here to take advantage of the excellent health service etc and only come to sponge off taxpayers like myself should be controlled.
Hollande is considered a country bumpkin but so was Mitterand and he transformed the french way of life,bringing ythem out of the dark ages and building the present infrastructure.
Saying that,I would still vote for Marine - just to make my personal statement.

Doesn't make any difference. It's only the French, and we'll be out of Europe anyway soon