France Lurches to the Right - Der Spiegel

[Eurobabe]

France Lurches to the Right
Der Spiegel

A large majority of French voters have elected Nicolas Sarkozy to become Jacques Chirac's successor. The election marks a clear shift to the right in the country. But while Sarkozy likes to present himself as a unifier, the radical political and moral cure he wants to prescribe could instead trigger deep social conflicts in French society.

Perhaps it wasn't exactly a landslide, but it was certainly an unambiguous result: France's 44 million voters have chosen Nicolas Sarkozy, the strong man of the governing UMP, with a resounding majority and a record turnout. They have chosen his vision of a radical revitalization of the Republic and a return to the nation's patriotic foundations. Sarkozy's convincing win is the triumph of political individualism over the rival worldview of the Socialist candidate Ségòlene Royal and her vision of a "participatory democracy" -- which too often got lost in vague affirmations.

What's clear about Sunday's vote is that it marks a turning point for France. After the gray era of 12 years of "Chiraquie," the citizens of France have backed the candidate who spoke of change and even a "break" with established tradition. With an eye to chronic unemployment, spiraling state debt, globalization and the disappearance of entire industry sectors to lower-wage countries, the French have put their money on a politician who has always vowed to radically and swiftly liquidate France's historic mortgage -- the civil servant apparatus, the privileges of teachers and social workers, the influence of the unions.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,481349,00.html

[Tempest]

1. Since when is 53% "a large majority"?

Sarkozy's acceptance speech didn't give me the impression that there will be an extreme lurch to the right that everyone fears.

[NaturalHigh]

2. France hasn't lurched to the right.

Royal was just too far left.