France General Discussion

[Hashemite]

Congress has adopted the institutional reform law very narrowly, by one vote of majority in fact. The final vote was 539 for vs. 357 against.

Breakdown:

Assembly

UMP 310 in favour, 6 against (Goulard [Mayor of Vannes who hates Sarkozy and loves Bayrou], other irrelevancies), 1 abstaining
Socialist, PRG, MRC 194 against, 6 in favour (a few overseas leftie MPs, most PRG MPs, Jack Lang [the only PS vote in favour])
GDR (Commies + Greenies) 24 against, none in favour
NC 23 in favour (including Ille-et-Vilaine MP Thierry Benoit , who quit the MoDem to join the New Centre ), 1 abstaining (Philippe Folliot, former RPF deputy)
NI, MoDem, DLR 6 against (3 MoDem MPs, 2 MPF MPs, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan), 1 in favour (DLR MP from the Nord)

Senate

UMP 158 in favour, 1 against (unknown Senator from Maine-et-Loire)
PS 95 against
UC-UDF 24 in favour, 2 against (MoDems), 4 abstaining
Communist and Republican 23 against
RDSE 11 in favour, 4 against (3 PRGs and a lolz MPF lolz idiot), 2 abstaining
NI 2 against (2 MPF), 2 in favour (2 CNIP-DVD), 1 abstaining (1 DVD), 1 lazy/sleeping/missed the bus (lolz)

I'll write a little analysis of what this reform entails if anyone is interested. Right now I'm celebrating the defeat of Arnaud Montebourg (who was the leader of his clan for this. He likes to yell and complain a lot, so they chose him, since his position included a lot of yelling and whining) who swore that no Socialist would vote against.

[Hashemite]

lolz PS lolz. All Socialists are pissed at Jack Lang and the PRG for voting in favour. Ayrault said that Lang auto-excluded himself from the SRC group. Royal, who never misses an opportunity to complain, quoted Mitterrand. In addition, talks will soon be held between Hollande and Baylet, the leader of the PRG. A majority of PRG deputies and Senators voted in favour, including Baylet. Knowing how the Socialists automatically hate anybody who goes against their party line, the PRG might quit the SRC group.

[Χahar]

Left-Radicals, eh? I like them now.

What next? Referendum?

[Benwah [why on Earth do I post something] Courseyay]

Left-Radicals, eh? I like them now.

PRG? Left-radicals?!?

No, just Baylet followers.

Baylet?

Just an opportunist.

Attitude of PS on this constitutional affair?

Ridiculous, stupid, small.

This constitutional affair?

I would like that we wonder on serious things when we make a congress to change the constitution.

A referendum?

Mouhahaha... No

Next referendum?

Surely Turkey, if there are no big changes in this country which would lead it to stop its adhesion to EU.

[Hashemite]

Left-Radicals, eh?

I'm sure the 12 PRG members elected to nationwide office will be pleased.

[Verily]

Left-Radicals, eh? I like them now.

What next? Referendum?

France has a lot of political parties with names that trace from the era when you had to have "Left", "Radical", "Revolutionary" or something else similar in your name to be elected. The PRG is definitely centrist, and probably my favorite French party.

[London Man]

I see you've effectively abolished the 35-hour week.

[Benwah [why on Earth do I post something] Courseyay]

I see you've effectively abolished the 35-hour week.

And who did a protestation when the decision became official?

Executives!

Well, that's normal with 45 to 60 hours a week, that's maybe them who ned it more. Because for such jobs for example this 35h a week where changed in free-days to choose. And so when they felt a burnout coming they could take one or some free-days. I liked this conception of the 35 hours a week. Anyway, it is done now...

[Χahar]

Left-Radicals, eh? I like them now.

What next? Referendum?

France has a lot of political parties with names that trace from the era when you had to have "Left", "Radical", "Revolutionary" or something else similar in your name to be elected. The PRG is definitely centrist, and probably my favorite French party.

Oh, yes, I know perfectly well about the history of the Radicals. I don't think they're radical or leftist, thanks to sinistrisme. But they were the only party on the left to support the reforms. The PCF let me down.

[Hashemite]

Uhm. Let's see what's new in Bro-C'hall.

Sarkozy seems to be gaining in popularity. Ipsos puts him at 44 and Fillon at 52. Him being less bling-bling, and a bit calmer plays a large role.

Le Pen has decided not to run again in 2012 and open the road to his succession.

Besancenot is gaining in momentum and strength. The LCR membership was boosted quite a bit, probably in view of the creation of his NPA soon. I heard about a poll in France that had Besancenot with around 10% in a presidential poll. He still remains one of the top 10 most popular politicians (far ahead of Sarkozy and Royal) and one of the top 10 best opponents to Sarkozy.

[Χahar]

Le Pen not running? The world is coming to an end.

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

[Hashemite]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

[Χahar]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

Are the various DVG and DVD MNAs members of tiny parties or independents?

[Hashemite]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

Are the various DVG and DVD MNAs members of tiny parties or independents?

local party dissidents, a few are local parties that are elected with no PS/UMP opposition.

I'll make a detailed list tomorrow.

[Χahar]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

Are the various DVG and DVD MNAs members of tiny parties or independents?

local party dissidents, a few are local parties that are elected with no PS/UMP opposition.

I'll make a detailed list tomorrow.

Please do.

[PGSable]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

That, and the far left is much more divided than the far right. If the LCR, the LO, the PT, and the Bové supporters (and maybe the PCF) formed a common party, the anti-capitalist left would be much stronger.

Besancenot, Buffet, Laguiller, Bové, and Schivardi won a combined nine percent of the vote last year, not far behind Le Pen. With Le Pen retiring, you can expect the FN's vote share to lower in 2012. The MoDem isn't very successful either. A common far left party would be a force to be reckoned with.

[Hashemite]

Even a Trot party composed mostly of the LCR would be quite important. The LO and the POI are two irrelevant joke parties, and with Laguiller gone from presidential politics, expect the LO to go away from the national scene.

But the NPA won't be different from the LCR in regards to the legislative scene, since it will continue to have no constituency organization and base.

[Hashemite]

Why hasn't the LCR been able to capitalize on Besancenot's popularity with at least one MNA?

Firstly, the LCR has absolutely no (absolutely none) ground constituency organization and GOTV effort. The LCR has no party machine on the ground. Also, Besancenot is like Le Pen in that he gets votes from voters that don't vote for the party in a general/EU/local election.

Secondly, even if it did break 15% in one constituency (which is very unlikely) and somehow got into the runoff, a plurality/majority of voters would not vote for a Trot. Just as they wouldn't vote for a fascist. And like with the FN, many of the first round voters wouldn't come out and vote for an LCR candidate that has no chance in the runoff.

Are the various DVG and DVD MNAs members of tiny parties or independents?

local party dissidents, a few are local parties that are elected with no PS/UMP opposition.

I'll make a detailed list tomorrow.

Please do.

Here we go.

DVG (All elected with PS opposition unless stated otherwise)
Marcel Rogemont, Ille-et-Vilaine 3: PS dissident
Guy Chambefort, Allier 1: PS dissident
Martine Pinville, Charente 4: PS dissident
Jacques Desallangre, Aisne 2: Independent MRC/Commie
Rene Dosiere, Aisne 1: PS dissident
Jean-Pierre Brard, Seine-Saint-Denis 7: Minor party (CAP- bunch of Commies). PS qualified for runoff, but dropped out. Elected unopposed in runoff.
Simon Renucci, Corse-du-Sud 1: Minor party (CSD). No PS opposition
Jeanny Marc-Mathiasin, Guadeloupe 3: Minor party (GUSR)
Chantal Berthelot, Guyane 2: Minor party (PSG). No PS opposition

DVD
Guenhael Huet, Manche 2: UMP dissident. Elected in runoff with official UMP.
Joel Sarlot, Vendee 5: Independent Villierist/MPF. No UMP opposition
Francois-Xavier Villain, Nord 18: Minor party (DLR). No UMP opposition
Lionel Tardy, Haute-Savoie 2: Independent. Defeated NC incumbent.
Eric Straumann, Haut-Rhin 1: UMP dissident. Elected in runoff with official UMP.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, Essonne 8: Minor party (DLR). No UMP opposition

[Χahar]

Isn't DLR part of the UMP?

[Hashemite]

Isn't DLR part of the UMP?

It used to be an associate party.

Now it's totally separate.

[Χahar]

Isn't DLR part of the UMP?

It used to be an associate party.

Now it's totally separate.

Ah, I see.

[PGSable]

http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2008/09/15/segolene-royal-revoit-sa-strategie-au-sein-du-ps_1095569_823448.html

After polls showed her performing poorly against Bertrand Delanoë, Ségolène Royal has announced that she may drop out of the race to become First Secretary of the PS (the election is on November 6).

[Χahar]

Hmm. About time.

[Hashemite]

http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2008/09/15/segolene-royal-revoit-sa-strategie-au-sein-du-ps_1095569_823448.html

After polls showed her performing poorly against Bertrand Delanoë, Ségolène Royal has announced that she may drop out of the race to become First Secretary of the PS (the election is on November 6).

She may drop out if her motion does poorly. She's not dropping out now.

Of course, I'd be sad if she dropped out. She amuses me.

[PGSable]

http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2008/09/15/segolene-royal-revoit-sa-strategie-au-sein-du-ps_1095569_823448.html

After polls showed her performing poorly against Bertrand Delanoë, Ségolène Royal has announced that she may drop out of the race to become First Secretary of the PS (the election is on November 6).

She may drop out if her motion does poorly. She's not dropping out now.

Of course, I'd be sad if she dropped out. She amuses me.

Of course, she can't drop out right now. She needs to have a discussion with the social partners first (that's participative democracy, you know).