France: Départementales 2015 - March 22/29, 2015

[MaxQue]

Among wierd things:

The left have odds of actually GAINING a department, Lozère.
Four tickets qualified for the 2nd round in Ambazac, Haute-Vienne (PS 27, FN 25, PCF 24, UMP 23).

[MaxQue]

Wierdly, when people were expecting around 5 triangulaires (runoffs with 3 candidates) due to low tunrout, there is 327 cantons were 3 candidates qualified. And one with 4 candidates.

[MaxQue]

Speaking of FG, I am looking at the official website for results.  It seems some PCF lists ran as PCF and other FG.  Why is this?  I thought PCF members are pretty much running as FG these days.

At the local level many PCF candidates distance themselves from the FG because they want to keep working with the PS (they have been working together for years or even decades in local councils). And in general, the PdG and the PCF diverge on this issue.

Also, a couple of PCF candidates withdrew from PS-PCF duels due to the "left withdrawal" tradition (when left parties face each other in the 2nd round, traditionnally, the 2nd withdraws). The reverse happened too.

[MaxQue]

Surprisingly, we already have our first départemental by-election.

It's in the canton of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, in Yonne département, for the male seat. Claude Thion (FN) resigned for personal reasons and his suppléant André Fischer apparently indicated than he don't want to take the seat. So, that means a by-election.

March results:

1st round:
Érika Roset / Claude Thion (FN): 1610 votes (35.02%)
Cyril Boulleaux / Liliane Lavaux (Union of the Left): 1251 votes (27.21%)
Michel der Agobian / Élisabeth Frassetto (Right): 948 votes (20.62%)
Monique Bonnion / Noël Roby (FG-EELV): 576 votes (12.53%)
Nicole Fossey / Gérard Serré (Arise the France/DLF): 212 votes (4.61%)

2nd round:
Érika Roset / Claude Thion (FN): 2267 votes (50.67%)
Cyril Boulleaux / Liliane Lavaux (Union of the Left): 2207 votes (49.33%)

So, should be interesting.