Presidential Politics and Coup de Foudre

May...Change Arrives!!

May rolled in with the promise of a change in weather and a potential change in France's political climate. In a monumental victory for the Socialist Party, François Hollande defeated the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in the first Socialist presidential win in 17 years! The difference in the campaigning styles of the two candidates was apparent--even for a non-native like me-- unmistakeably contrasting, both in their styles of political rhetoric and as well as their personalities. The race was a close one with 51.9 % of the votes going to Hollande and 49.1 % to sitting-President Sarkozy. 

Beyond this incredibly close result, the shocker in the race was the performance of the far right party candidate Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front Party; Le Pen garnered 17.9 % of the French vote. This percentage is even more impressive when one considers that Le Pen won a greater percent of support for the far-right party (NF) founded by her father (Jean-Marie) than he could managed to draw. Coupled with the fact that Ms. Le Pen only recently took over the party seems to signal that despite her defeat in the 2012 election, she will continue to be influential in French politics.


Today, the wind blew in cold winds from the north and along with it rain and a chill that we haven't experienced for a few days. The sunshine from the weekend disappeared behind heavy grey clouds and intermittent downpours. But none of this could dampen the pomp and circumstance that occurred on the Champs Elysees! The new President François Hollande was sworn in and exchanged Nuclear codes with exiting President Sarkozy. Hollande's ceremony was--according to reporters--considerably less pompous than his predecessor's. Regardless of this, as an outsider looking on, the ceremonial trip down the Champs Elysees to Hotel de Ville that Hollande took equipped with an escort of mounted guards in full-regalia was tremendously impressive. At the end of the exchange between Hollande and Sarkozy, Sarkozy took the long walk along an enormous red carpet to a long black limousine, waiting with doors open, to whisk him away for the last time. As the car drove away, Sarkozy waved through a partially cracked window as supporters and perhaps some that did not, shouted "Merci Sarkozy." One must admire the politeness of the French!


Hollande did not waste anytime but headed immediately to Germany to meet with Mrs. Merkel. In an interesting incident, President Hollande's aircraft was hit by lightning and had to turn around. While this might have been seen as something negative, but being struck by lightning in France or coup de foudre refers to 'love at first sight'--Mrs. Merkel apparently mentioned the positive omen this according to the BBC. No one was hurt and Hollande was able to change planes and continue his trip to Germany. Let's hope that it is "love at first sight" and the coup de foudre continues long enough for them to come to an agreement.

Merkel and Hollande meet for the first time (c) BBC 2012