Before the vote it was expected that the National Front (or Extreme Right) would get a good slice of the votes, but the one they finally got was much bigger. This was the first surprise.
There was also a second surprise because the abstentions at 38.6% were the highest since a long time. A closer analysis revealed that the Socialist non voters were mainly responsible for the increase in the number of abstentions.
Since 1960 when De Gaulle created the 5th Republic there have only ever been two main Parties in contention at elections, the Socialists and the Conservatives, but with the National Front there are now three !
Yesterday only a few Mayors got more than 50% in the first round voting and were therefore elected. Next Sunday there will be many three cornered run-offs with National Front candidates. As usual beaten candidates will be touted for support but no one wants to admit to the possibility of "making a deal" with the National Front.
This week will see feverish activity on the Local Level but there also be repercussions at the higher level of National Government.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment