First round of French's Presidential election. As predicted, Nicolas Sarkozy from the right-wing's UMP and Segolene Royal, a socialist, will battle nose-to-nose on the final round. The next 15 days will be a tough journey for the two in order to win the supports from the 10 lost candidates. Although Sarko led by 5% in this first round, it does not guarantee anything for him to enter L'Elysee, the Presidential Palace, to replace Jacques Chirac (also from UMP).
Already, some of the 10 other candidates have expressed their supports for Segolene, who will be the first female French President if she is elected. Many fear Sarko is too droite and too liberal, like J.M. Le Pen, one of the candidates whose candidancy back in 2002 triggered a controversy and street demonstrations for days (At the end, Chirac mercilessly defeated him in the final around by 60% vote gap!). On the other hand, Sarko remains a strong candidate, thanks to his previous political records. He held a number of strategic posts during Chirac's terms (although the two do not get along), namely Minister of Finance and Minister of Interior.
May 6 will be the deciding day for France. Until then, all we can do is watch and see all the political manouvers from Sarko and Royal, and hope there will not be any manifestations in the streets.
Whatever the outcome will be, it may not have any direct impact whatsoever on me as a legal alien. I just feel fortunate to have the opportunity to witness a true democractic election in a history-rich country like France. Right or left wing, whoever will win, le peuple veut une meilleure France.
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