A la bataille royale

France's Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech during a news conference in Paris, January 11, 2007. France's ruling centre-right crowns Sarkozy as its presidential candidate on Sunday, but to win in May the interior minister must use his acceptance speech to start wooing voters put off by his strident image. (Philippe Wojazer/Reuters)Yesterday morning in London, I saw a really extraordinary sight – hundreds and hundreds of French citizens patiently queuing up to vote at the Lycee Français.  How ethnically diverse, like Britain, France has become.

Personally I am a bit surprised that Sarkozy is so well ahead.  A huge proportion of the French population is either directly or indirectly dependent on the State, and I am not convinced are ready for the changes, however necessary, that Sarkozy is advocating.  Naturally, I hope he wins as we have every interest in successful and prosperous neighbours.

Isn’t it wonderful that so many voted?  I fear apathy will be strongly present, by way of contrast, in our own local elections next month.  Nevertheless, I think May 4 will not be a good day for Messrs Blair and Brown.

 

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