Victory for LePen

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 12:13am

How do I know? Well, let's just say that Macron is running a brilliant campaign, just like fellow globalist Killary Klinton. The Press in the US and in France ingenuously calls him a "centrist". He is as much of a centrist as Donald Trump.

M. Macron has learned quite well from Medusa, referring to LePen voters as the French equivalent of "deplorables", an endearing way to garner undecided votes.

Of course the French mainstream media is covering him like flies on shit. Look for instance at this picture journalistic neutrality:

An email dump occurring just one day before the election, as reported by Mimi, has netted 9 gigabytes of data.

The Inquisitr website is skeptical, as befitting a neoliberal blog. They label the allegations of overseas use of tax havens by M. Macron as "conspiracy theory".

Yet Zero Hedge managed to get documentation of M. Macron's devotion to economic equality for the down-trodden French 99%.

Further enlightenment on Macron's political allegiance can be derived from the following video, where the fun starts at about 45 seconds and gets really good at about 3:22 and 3:50:

[video: https://youtu.be/JljKZ4wuakQ?t=3m50s]

I think the winning remark came from the LePen - Macron debate, when LePen said, to paraphrase: "After this election a woman will be President of France. It will be either me or Angela Merkel"

Angie's lapdog

LePen will win.

Tags:

LePen

Macron

France

globalism

hillary

Vote

Comments

Submitted by Not Henry Kissinger on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 12:32am

One of those 'covers'.

And yes. The mag has already admitted they photo shopped the pic.

The desperation is palpable.

—

The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?

Submitted by Big Al on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 12:51am

Either way, like with Trump vs. Clinton,

the French people lose. Perhaps we need to recognize the pattern in all national elections.

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 2:43am

Yes, very much the same situation as 2016 here.

@Big Al

Submitted by mimi on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 3:23am

That's how German TV tries to explain the French monarchy...

The way German TV tries to explain the French "presidential monarch". (with my own slight editorial changes of the google translation for clarity - and my own highlights)

By Barbara Kostolnik, ARD-Studio Paris

Although France is a republic, many speak of a "presidential monarchy" because of the accumulation of power in the French presidency. Compared to the German Federal President, the French president is much more powerful and politically more influential. He is directly elected by the people, and is head of the armed forces. That is, he can decide how the military is deployed.

As France presents a nuclear power house, the President also decides on the use of nuclear weapons. However, as in Germany, the President needs the approval of the parliament for a declaration of war or longer lasting military operations. It is difficult for the head of state, if his party or movement has no own majority in the National Assembly. This could happen for both remaining candidates, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It is unlikely that they will reach a majority in the June parliamentary elections.

Special case "cohabition"

If the President and the Prime Minister do not belong to the same party, there is a "cohabitation": the Prime Minister is re-evaluated upwards, he directs the guidelines of government work. The President has to content himself with the foreign and defense policy. The President shall appoint the Prime Minister and the Government. He appoints and dismisses the ministers and ministers - at least on the proposal of the Prime Minister.

It is true that the French parliament, with its two chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate, decides on the law, but the President can certainly influence the legislation. For example, he can propose legislation, issue decrees and even dissolve the National Assembly or hold referendums. In the French Constitution, more noble tasks are being held: the President is watching over compliance with the constitution and is the guarantor of national independence. In the event of a crisis or war, he receives sufficient powers, almost full control over the state.

By 14 May at the latest

Because the French president is so influential, the presidential elections are the most important elections in France. The electoral participation is on average 80 percent and the interest of the French in the election is usually very large.

The President shall be elected every five years. On May 11, four days after the election, the new president or the new president will be officially promulgated, and on May 14, the transfer of office between the old and the new head of state must have taken place

If le Pen wins, there will be pitchforks on the street. Old French and old Germans will not accept a right-wing nationalist Le Pen to behave like a 'presidential monarch" and nobody that resembles the neo-nazi new chic.. Where do you think we are going with that? Straight to the next French revolution. No co-operation with Vichy right-winger types, no way the left will work together with the right. No weasel words in the elderly German minds. It's a disaster to see how Germany's military is already undermined with neo-nazis, especially at their border bases to France.
No matter how much they try to undermine and overfeed us with their fucks. I already see how the US right-wing nationalist weasel-worders will play again the good guys, who will come to rescue against the influence of right-wing nationalists destroying democracy in Europe.

Sigh.
No, fuck that shit. Le Pen will not win. Geez, reading c99p makes me gamble. Horror.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 5:16am

mimi, as always, thanks for the European perspective

@mimi I am both frightened and perplexed by some of the information contained your linked article as well as one thing you said.

First, from the article:

When Defence Minister von der Leyen, a member of the ruling Christian Democratic Union, responded to the exposure of the Franco A. case by warning that “the German army has an attitude problem and it apparently has weak leadership at different levels,” she provoked a storm of protest.

She may well lose her post, not because terror attacks on the former president and current ministers and members of parliament were planned from within the ranks of the Bundeswehr, but because she spoke out too sharply against it!

Are we going to see a modern equivalent of the Reichstag fire? What is the venerated (ha) Angela Merkel thinking about this Bundeswehr neo-Nazism? Is she speaking out about it?

Also, now in Germany, at least from what I gather in my quoted snippet, is telling the truth becoming grounds for ostracism, to be followed by imprisonment? We have Deutschland following Uncle Sam, which is in turn following the precepts of the Third Reich in punishing dissemination of facts or opinions.

Please explain to me some of the following:

If le Pen wins, there will be pitchforks on the street. Old French and old Germans will not accept a right-wing nationalist Le Pen to behave like a 'presidential monarch" and nobody that resembles the neo-nazi new chic.. Where do you think we are going with that? Straight to the next French revolution. No co-operation with Vichy right-winger types, no way the left will work together with the right.

As far as pitchforks in the street, the same thing may happen if Macron gets elected. France, like the US a year ago, is in a lose-lose election. But I do not understand why old French and old Germans will not accept a right-wing nationalist. You also refer to Macron, indirectly, as a Leftist. Clearly, he is a neoliberal fuck-the-people stooge just like Obama.

The way German TV tries to explain the French "presidential monarch". (with my own slight editorial changes of the google translation for clarity - and my own highlights)

By Barbara Kostolnik, ARD-Studio Paris

Although France is a republic, many speak of a "presidential monarchy" because of the accumulation of power in the French presidency. Compared to the German Federal President, the French president is much more powerful and politically more influential. He is directly elected by the people, and is head of the armed forces. That is, he can decide how the military is deployed.

As France presents a nuclear power house, the President also decides on the use of nuclear weapons. However, as in Germany, the President needs the approval of the parliament for a declaration of war or longer lasting military operations. It is difficult for the head of state, if his party or movement has no own majority in the National Assembly. This could happen for both remaining candidates, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It is unlikely that they will reach a majority in the June parliamentary elections.

Special case "cohabition"

If the President and the Prime Minister do not belong to the same party, there is a "cohabitation": the Prime Minister is re-evaluated upwards, he directs the guidelines of government work. The President has to content himself with the foreign and defense policy. The President shall appoint the Prime Minister and the Government. He appoints and dismisses the ministers and ministers - at least on the proposal of the Prime Minister.

It is true that the French parliament, with its two chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate, decides on the law, but the President can certainly influence the legislation. For example, he can propose legislation, issue decrees and even dissolve the National Assembly or hold referendums. In the French Constitution, more noble tasks are being held: the President is watching over compliance with the constitution and is the guarantor of national independence. In the event of a crisis or war, he receives sufficient powers, almost full control over the state.

By 14 May at the latest

Because the French president is so influential, the presidential elections are the most important elections in France. The electoral participation is on average 80 percent and the interest of the French in the election is usually very large.

The President shall be elected every five years. On May 11, four days after the election, the new president or the new president will be officially promulgated, and on May 14, the transfer of office between the old and the new head of state must have taken place

If le Pen wins, there will be pitchforks on the street. Old French and old Germans will not accept a right-wing nationalist Le Pen to behave like a 'presidential monarch" and nobody that resembles the neo-nazi new chic.. Where do you think we are going with that? Straight to the next French revolution. No co-operation with Vichy right-winger types, no way the left will work together with the right. No weasel words in the elderly German minds. It's a disaster to see how Germany's military is already undermined with neo-nazis, especially at their border bases to France.
No matter how much they try to undermine and overfeed us with their fucks. I already see how the US right-wing nationalist weasel-worders will play again the good guys, who will come to rescue against the influence of right-wing nationalists destroying democracy in Europe.

Sigh.
No, fuck that shit. Le Pen will not win. Geez, reading c99p makes me gamble. Horror.

Submitted by mimi on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 11:44am

hello, what can I say...Old Europe sending signals ...

@Alligator Ed
ok, I say this:
Van der Leyen is under criticism and that is, imo, normal. She is not criticized because she spoke too sharply against the possibility of extremist attacks from within the military, but because she spoke way too smoothly about it. At least that is my opinion. For me that is like a "New Europe (Rumsfeldian style) shock doctrine" to learn.

She can't describe what has been discovered about right-wing neo-nazi extremism within the German Bundeswehr as an "attitude problem". That is more than an "attitude problem". But of course that's the weasel words with which people try to save their skin. Lately she said she takes full responsibility for lack of oversight for what has been obviously going on since several years in the German Bundeswehr. I don't think the general German population was aware about it that much, may be the younger generation, who has no clue. I was not, but I was out of the country for forty years. So, I like to excuse myself here. Yet I always fear something like it happening.

If there is a lack of leadership than it's her lack of leadership first. Leadership in the military goes from top to bottom. So, I haven't read more than you, probably, the latest being here.

Merkel said she gives her support to van der Leyen. If the things reveal more and more of this stuff, it's probable that van der Leyen will resign. That's usually what happens. I don't understand your comparison to a Reichstagsfeuer. I am a German from what Rumsfeld called "Old Europe" and for me 'Old European" it is not acceptable to have the German Bundeswehr undercut by Neo-Nazis.

And I gather that it is for any sane French civilian neither. Do you know how difficult it was to achieve something resembling a willingness to co-habitate by French civilians with German ones? Very hard. And it has been destroyed on purpose starting with Rumsfeld and all those strange libertarian and super US patriots, who seem not to "get" that some things work differently in Europe than in the US.

It is the Defense Secretary's responsibility to prevent such underground movements inside the German Bundeswehr. Who talks here about sending her to prison? She needs to draw the consequences for such
obvious lack of oversight and leadership and eventually step down. We had bigger men than her, who had to do it (Willy Brandt).

So far the media tries to not dramatize or sensationalize the situation, but what has been revealed already is enough for me.

As for the pitchforks, Macron being a leftist, and Old Europeans leftist and right-wing neo-nazis not wanting to cooperate with each other, you just don't understand.

First I didn't say Macron is a leftist, nowhere. He is a middle of the road weaseling "Real Politiker" as probably many Germans would see him. How do you come to the idea I think he is a leftist? And why do you think elderly descendents of French and German citizens who killed each other fiercly in wwII would like to see frigging neo-nazis back again in power or military ranks? Can't you understand that it would be an insult on our own intelligence and value system after the two ww we initiated, to allow right-wingers power? I may be an idiot, but not that much of an idiot. Sorry.

I only speak for myself. I don't know what other French or German civilians think. May be I have been to long too far away from Germany and France. Our TV coverage of the "vox populi" in France and Germany is very poor.

Sigh. I have to calm down. It angers me if an Americans ask a German, who is a left oriented Social Democrat, to accept a co-operation or coalition with neo-Nazis or ask for a naive Russia-phonism either.

And for the lovely image with the subtext "Angie's lapdog", may I suggest that though Merkel is member of the Christian Democratic Party (and thus one of our conservatives), she doesn't need a lapdog. And Macron may be just a "charming, elegant and gentile" Frenchman, who knows how to treat an elderly German woman. Yeah, a bit like Trudeau, they younger, who is even sexy. Not that we need that in "Old Europe"...you know?

Oh well, I need to follow the news now. Le Pen will not win! My bet. If he wins, JtC gets a check. Bye.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 3:19pm

Thank you for your extended reply

@mimi @mimi Sorry if I attributed to you what was in the quotation from your linked article. With your explanation, I better understand the "old" vs. "new" Europe. By your definition, which I am happy to accept, I guess I would be an "old" American, one who predates this Neocon horror going on here for three decades. As I write this now, the Parisienne vote ceased 45 minutes ago. Now to watch France 24 to know what's going on.

To quote the famous movie title "Is Paris burning?"

#3.1
ok, I say this:
Van der Leyen is under criticism and that is, imo, normal. She is not criticized because she spoke too sharply against the possibility of extremist attacks from within the military, but because she spoke way too smoothly about it. At least that is my opinion. For me that is like a "New Europe (Rumsfeldian style) shock doctrine" to learn.

She can't describe what has been discovered about right-wing neo-nazi extremism within the German Bundeswehr as an "attitude problem". That is more than an "attitude problem". But of course that's the weasel words with which people try to save their skin. Lately she said she takes full responsibility for lack of oversight for what has been obviously going on since several years in the German Bundeswehr. I don't think the general German population was aware about it that much, may be the younger generation, who has no clue. I was not, but I was out of the country for forty years. So, I like to excuse myself here. Yet I always fear something like it happening.

If there is a lack of leadership than it's her lack of leadership first. Leadership in the military goes from top to bottom. So, I haven't read more than you, probably, the latest being here.

Merkel said she gives her support to van der Leyen. If the things reveal more and more of this stuff, it's probable that van der Leyen will resign. That's usually what happens. I don't understand your comparison to a Reichstagsfeuer. I am a German from what Rumsfeld called "Old Europe" and for me 'Old European" it is not acceptable to have the German Bundeswehr undercut by Neo-Nazis.

And I gather that it is for any sane French civilian neither. Do you know how difficult it was to achieve something resembling a willingness to co-habitate by French civilians with German ones? Very hard. And it has been destroyed on purpose starting with Rumsfeld and all those strange libertarian and super US patriots, who seem not to "get" that some things work differently in Europe than in the US.

It is the Defense Secretary's responsibility to prevent such underground movements inside the German Bundeswehr. Who talks here about sending her to prison? She needs to draw the consequences for such
obvious lack of oversight and leadership and eventually step down. We had bigger men than her, who had to do it (Willy Brandt).

So far the media tries to not dramatize or sensationalize the situation, but what has been revealed already is enough for me.

As for the pitchforks, Macron being a leftist, and Old Europeans leftist and right-wing neo-nazis not wanting to cooperate with each other, you just don't understand.

First I didn't say Macron is a leftist, nowhere. He is a middle of the road weaseling "Real Politiker" as probably many Germans would see him. How do you come to the idea I think he is a leftist? And why do you think elderly descendents of French and German citizens who killed each other fiercly in wwII would like to see frigging neo-nazis back again in power or military ranks? Can't you understand that it would be an insult on our own intelligence and value system after the two ww we initiated, to allow right-wingers power? I may be an idiot, but not that much of an idiot. Sorry.

I only speak for myself. I don't know what other French or German civilians think. May be I have been to long too far away from Germany and France. Our TV coverage of the "vox populi" in France and Germany is very poor.

Sigh. I have to calm down. It angers me if an Americans ask a German, who is a left oriented Social Democrat, to accept a co-operation or coalition with neo-Nazis or ask for a naive Russia-phonism either.

And for the lovely image with the subtext "Angie's lapdog", may I suggest that though Merkel is member of the Christian Democratic Party (and thus one of our conservatives), she doesn't need a lapdog. And Macron may be just a "charming, elegant and gentile" Frenchman, who knows how to treat an elderly German woman. Yeah, a bit like Trudeau, they younger, who is even sexy. Not that we need that in "Old Europe"...you know?

Oh well, I need to follow the news now. Le Pen will not win! My bet. If he wins, JtC gets a check. Bye.

Submitted by mimi on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 8:19pm

I listened to a discussion about Macron in German TV

@Alligator Ed
and I understood out of it that Macron is a pro-European, free market liberal. And he has no party behind him. Within a year he managed to gather so many followers that he got over 64 percent of the vote. That is a success that you can't just ignore. There is a discussion in how far he and the Germans think about reforms of the EU from within. That such a reform of the EU is a thing that many Southern European countries need and may demand, stands against the folks who think the EU and Germany's power within the EU is something so dispicable that they prefer the destruction of the EU by any sort of -exit.

I do not believe that the fact that many French voted for Macron to avoid Le Pen getting power, is something that would concern me. Contrary I am relieved they did. You have a left in France. You can vote for a third party and it can make a lot of sense, even if the third party will never get the majority, but they are important to build coalitions and have their voices in parliament that way. This is not the case in the US. The left in France apparently was so demanding that people feared they would never accept a coalition with any of the center liberals or other parties beyond Le Pen's. So, for most it was more important to "save the EU free market" structure as a whole, but advocated for a EU reform from within that would benefit the Southern EU member states.

A third party never can win nor have a voice in parliament in the US. I don't think it's comparable to the 2016 elections with the duopoly status quo, that forced people, who have no choices, to make a choice that's meaningless or dangerous. If I am wrong about that, tell me.

From what I gather, people are relieved for now that Macron won. But all think that it's very difficult for him to manage the divided and desperate country for the long run. German Sec. of Defense Van der Leyen said this evening that Germany must help Macron to succeed and that the discussions to reform the EU from within will be an important part of the discussions for the German elections. Apparently German conservatives (Schaeuble, Merkel) have different opinions than Macron about what kind of reforms they would support, but both sides, Germany's conservatives and French's centrist liberals support strongly loyalty to the EU.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 8:53pm

Once again, your comment is appreciated.

@mimi There were already news reports yesterday on France 24 English that several unions are already going to demonstrate against Macron. Melanchon didn't support Macron (or LePen). Thus, his leftist followers will be less inclined to "fall in line" with France's new pretty boy chief. By all that I read, Macron is not a leftist at all, except perhaps on some non-economic social issues; he's a dyed in the wool bankster.

Here, in the U.S., we do not have a parliament. But if we did, the number of electoral districts should be increased, so that MP's would be more directly answerable to the voters. Plus multiple parties would be one outcome to be desired. There is something desirable in coalition governments: compromise. In Congress we have gridlock. Under Obama, Republicans "just said no". Now under Trump, Democrats are also just saying no. This is no way to govern a country by paralyzing its decision-making.

#3.1.1.1 and I understood out of it that Macron is a pro-European, free market liberal. And he has no party behind him. Within a year he managed to gather so many followers that he got over 64 percent of the vote. That is a success that you can't just ignore. There is a discussion in how far he and the Germans think about reforms of the EU from within. That such a reform of the EU is a thing that many Southern European countries need and may demand, stands against the folks who think the EU and Germany's power within the EU is something so dispicable that they prefer the destruction of the EU by any sort of -exit. I do not believe that the fact that many French voted for Macron to avoid Le Pen getting power, is something that would concern me. Contrary I am relieved they did. You have a left in France. You can vote for a third party and it can make a lot of sense, even if the third party will never get the majority, but they are important to build coalitions and have their voices in parliament that way. This is not the case in the US. The left in France apparently was so demanding that people feared they would never accept a coalition with any of the center liberals or other parties beyond Le Pen's. So, for most it was more important to "save the EU free market" structure as a whole, but advocated for a EU reform from within that would benefit the Southern EU member states. A third party never can win nor have a voice in parliament in the US. I don't think it's comparable to the 2016 elections with the duopoly status quo, that forced people, who have no choices, to make a choice that's meaningless or dangerous. If I am wrong about that, tell me. From what I gather, people are relieved for now that Macron won. But all think that it's very difficult for him to manage the divided and desperate country for the long run. German Sec. of Defense Van der Leyen said this evening that Germany must help Macron to succeed and that the discussions to reform the EU from within will be an important part of the discussions for the German elections. Apparently German conservatives (Schaeuble, Merkel) have different opinions than Macron about what kind of reforms they would support, but both sides, Germany's conservatives and French's centrist liberals support strongly loyalty to the EU.

Submitted by mimi on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 2:37am

correct, I have still to learn about

@Alligator Ed
the unions in France and why so many didn't vote for Melanchon. You guys here are always much better informed and therefore I try to read here, because I know I miss a lot of things or don't understand them.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 9:20am

@mimi Well, at least

@mimi @mimi Well, at least they'll want the neoliberal they get, unlike we Americans, who didn't want the neoliberal we were supposed to get. We didn't want the crazy reality TV guy we got either.

#3.1.1.1 and I understood out of it that Macron is a pro-European, free market liberal. And he has no party behind him. Within a year he managed to gather so many followers that he got over 64 percent of the vote. That is a success that you can't just ignore. There is a discussion in how far he and the Germans think about reforms of the EU from within. That such a reform of the EU is a thing that many Southern European countries need and may demand, stands against the folks who think the EU and Germany's power within the EU is something so dispicable that they prefer the destruction of the EU by any sort of -exit. I do not believe that the fact that many French voted for Macron to avoid Le Pen getting power, is something that would concern me. Contrary I am relieved they did. You have a left in France. You can vote for a third party and it can make a lot of sense, even if the third party will never get the majority, but they are important to build coalitions and have their voices in parliament that way. This is not the case in the US. The left in France apparently was so demanding that people feared they would never accept a coalition with any of the center liberals or other parties beyond Le Pen's. So, for most it was more important to "save the EU free market" structure as a whole, but advocated for a EU reform from within that would benefit the Southern EU member states. A third party never can win nor have a voice in parliament in the US. I don't think it's comparable to the 2016 elections with the duopoly status quo, that forced people, who have no choices, to make a choice that's meaningless or dangerous. If I am wrong about that, tell me. From what I gather, people are relieved for now that Macron won. But all think that it's very difficult for him to manage the divided and desperate country for the long run. German Sec. of Defense Van der Leyen said this evening that Germany must help Macron to succeed and that the discussions to reform the EU from within will be an important part of the discussions for the German elections. Apparently German conservatives (Schaeuble, Merkel) have different opinions than Macron about what kind of reforms they would support, but both sides, Germany's conservatives and French's centrist liberals support strongly loyalty to the EU.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 1:32am

Then who is the orangutang in the white house?

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

We didn't get the crazy reality TV guy we got either.

I must have missed something. I thought we voted for Putin.

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 9:20am

@Alligator Ed Editing...

@Alligator Ed Editing...

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by thanatokephaloides on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 3:14pm

Le Pen did not win.

@mimi

No, fuck that shit. Le Pen will not win. Geez, reading c99p makes me gamble. Horror.

Le Pen did not win.

~~Angela Merkel~~ Emmanuel Macron will be the next President of France.

All other French lose.

The way German TV tries to explain the French "presidential monarch". (with my own slight editorial changes of the google translation for clarity - and my own highlights)

By Barbara Kostolnik, ARD-Studio Paris

Although France is a republic, many speak of a "presidential monarchy" because of the accumulation of power in the French presidency. Compared to the German Federal President, the French president is much more powerful and politically more influential. He is directly elected by the people, and is head of the armed forces. That is, he can decide how the military is deployed.

As France presents a nuclear power house, the President also decides on the use of nuclear weapons. However, as in Germany, the President needs the approval of the parliament for a declaration of war or longer lasting military operations. It is difficult for the head of state, if his party or movement has no own majority in the National Assembly. This could happen for both remaining candidates, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It is unlikely that they will reach a majority in the June parliamentary elections.

Special case "cohabition"

If the President and the Prime Minister do not belong to the same party, there is a "cohabitation": the Prime Minister is re-evaluated upwards, he directs the guidelines of government work. The President has to content himself with the foreign and defense policy. The President shall appoint the Prime Minister and the Government. He appoints and dismisses the ministers and ministers - at least on the proposal of the Prime Minister.

It is true that the French parliament, with its two chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate, decides on the law, but the President can certainly influence the legislation. For example, he can propose legislation, issue decrees and even dissolve the National Assembly or hold referendums. In the French Constitution, more noble tasks are being held: the President is watching over compliance with the constitution and is the guarantor of national independence. In the event of a crisis or war, he receives sufficient powers, almost full control over the state.

By 14 May at the latest

Because the French president is so influential, the presidential elections are the most important elections in France. The electoral participation is on average 80 percent and the interest of the French in the election is usually very large.

The President shall be elected every five years. On May 11, four days after the election, the new president or the new president will be officially promulgated, and on May 14, the transfer of office between the old and the new head of state must have taken place

If le Pen wins, there will be pitchforks on the street. Old French and old Germans will not accept a right-wing nationalist Le Pen to behave like a 'presidential monarch" and nobody that resembles the neo-nazi new chic.. Where do you think we are going with that? Straight to the next French revolution. No co-operation with Vichy right-winger types, no way the left will work together with the right. No weasel words in the elderly German minds. It's a disaster to see how Germany's military is already undermined with neo-nazis, especially at their border bases to France.
No matter how much they try to undermine and overfeed us with their fucks. I already see how the US right-wing nationalist weasel-worders will play again the good guys, who will come to rescue against the influence of right-wing nationalists destroying democracy in Europe.

Sigh.
No, fuck that shit. Le Pen will not win. Geez, reading c99p makes me gamble. Horror.

—

"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Submitted by The Wizard on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 7:01am

LePen will rebalance France between the US and Russia

The world is moving rapidly becoming multipolar. The question remains as to how much damage a wounded US will do on the way to attempting to retain hegemony. Most likely a lot if not total global thermonuclear war. A multipolar world is a much more stable world, this is a basic principle of physics, biology and mathematics in any complex system. If France pulls out of the EU, along with the UK then that leaves one leg of the three legged stool, GB, Germany and France. The EU will disintegrate quickly as a monolithic structure and be replaced with regional agreements on trade, a really good idea. NATO disintegration will follow quickly. NATOs purpose is to bring about military stability and it now provides the exact opposite. By being extremely belligerent towards Russia, as encouraged by the US, it risks total destruction. A military alliance like this also places all nations at risk from the irrational behavior of a single member. I certainly can't predict that any of this will happen, or that LePen will get elected, but I do see a potential upside to her election.

—

Capitalism has always been the rule of the people by the oligarchs. You only have two choices, eliminate them or restrict their power.

Submitted by native on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 2:49pm

I see two related but distinct political conflicts in play:

@The Wizard

One is the newer conflict between an established globalist, neoliberal elite, opposing a resurgent, nativist nationalism. The other conflict is the older, more traditional one -- that of the Left vs the Right, or socialists vs capitalists.

The more recent dualism has to a significant degree usurped the older one in order of importance, for a growing proportion of the public.

Neoliberalism, as a system or paradigm attempting to universalize both socially liberal policy and global financial and military hegemony, is falling apart at the seams. Its two goals appear increasingly to be mutually incompatible -- from the viewpoint of both the Right and the Left.

—

native

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 7:50am

Although I am unsure of the physics of multipolarity

I do like the rest of what you wrote, particularly:

The EU will disintegrate quickly as a monolithic structure and be replaced with regional agreements on trade, a really good idea. NATO disintegration will follow quickly. NATOs purpose is to bring about military stability and it now provides the exact opposite.

What will the Neocons do to preserve the US Empire? They are provably insane, content to provoke a thermonuclear war from which there will be winners--including them. Whoever coined the phrase "political science" was clearly delusional.

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 7:51am

The above comment is addressed to Wizard

@Alligator Ed Sorry about the misplacement.

Submitted by gjohnsit on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 10:40am

Low early turnout in France

That's a positive trend for Marine.

Submitted by Lookout on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 2:20pm

Exit polls show Macron

with 60-63% of the vote.

—

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Submitted by EdMass on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 2:36pm

You see, this is all impossible, sorry

At this point in time, Macron is killing it.

Which proves that a 39 year old with no political experience can create a political party out of whole cloth and then beat 2 established Parties and the Populist.

There is just no way a 3rd Party could arise in the good ole USA.

The secret I guess is to marry your alternative mother. Which I guess the French think is really really cool.

Perhaps Chelsea can marry Hugh Rodam and it's a win for the home team?

Nothing says victory like incest...

Viva La France!

—

Prof: Nancy! I’m going to Greece!
Nancy: And swim the English Channel?
Prof: No. No. To ancient Greece where burning Sapho stood beside the wine dark sea. Wa de do da! Nancy, I’ve invented a time machine!

Firesign Theater

Stop the War!

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 3:38pm

I was spectacularly wrong!

Macron 63%
LePen 34%

Of those who did vote: 9% voted blank or purposefully marred their ballots--a typical French protest.

Abstention rate 25%--this is the highest in the 5th Republic; twice the size of abstentions in Hollande's election 5 years ago.

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 5:08pm

Guess Macron didn't have 40 years of baggage

@Alligator Ed
to make most people despise him on sight. "Little" things like that do matter.

—

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 6:35pm

But...but...but...Hillary only had 30 years of baggage

@TheOtherMaven I still can't believe she lost! Sniff, sniff (that's me crying alligator tears)

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 9:54pm

@TheOtherMaven Either that or the

@TheOtherMaven Either that or the French just aren't as sick of neoliberalism as we are. To be fair, I wouldn't vote LePen either--she's actually worse than Trump IMO. Trump isn't actually a neo-Nazi; that's just a bunch of bullshit the Clintons et al spew. He's a shitty right-winger who is, I think, genuinely sexist in a way rich men with big egos often are; he's been a casino owner and a slum lord, which tells you enough about him to be going on with; he may even be genuinely racist--I wouldn't be surprised--but I think a lot of his racist talk is to activate a certain kind of politics and has little to do with his personal beliefs. He's playing a role, and he knows it; a lot of other people, both those who like him and those who hate him, don't seem to understand that. What I suspect is that he's actually indifferent to the sufferings and danger that his political performances produce; he's willing to stoke the fires of racism to his own personal advantage and doesn't care who pays the price. Rather like Clinton in that regard, who did the same thing in 2008, albeit less dramatically.

Le Pen, on the other hand, rightly or wrongly is associated with actual neo-Nazism. I only know a little about her, from a French friend, but it seems she has actual family associations with Nazism (her father, I believe?)

One thing I really hate about American politics is how easily we throw around the terms "Nazi" and "neo-Nazi." Perhaps it's because the Nazis never got here, except after the war, when we let them into our intelligence services. That was smart.

That's why I use the term "fascist" fairly broadly, using it to apply to pretty much all corporatists, while I use the term "Nazi" extremely carefully.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 9:42pm

@Alligator Ed

@Alligator Ed Double post gremlin likes neoliberal election results!

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 1:37am

I think this fellow might be one of my cousins who got mutated

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal too near a blast site.

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 9:43pm

Tried to edit out a double post and suddenly there was

only one!

What I said originally was, at least the French wanted the shitty neoliberal they got. Good luck to them.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by mimi on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 3:25am

Ha, even sending people into space won't help

to get rid of people you don't like for their vote.
Astronaut does something amazing on the International Space Station

Pesquet had to handle more than a few obstacles in order to vote. For one thing, he had to have a colleague act as power of attorney to cast a vote on his behalf, and secondly he had to deal with the problem that when not on the ISS, he resides in journey. Nevertheless, you wouldn’t expect an astronaut like Pesquet to be bothered by hurdles like that, and he dutifully performed his civic duty as a French citizen while looking down on the country from high above.

Pesquet is the European Space Agency’s youngest astronaut, and he described himself in interviews as passionately interested in politics. He once remarked in an interview with Franceinfo that people should “open up and understand that the world is done with others, not against others, that we need more bridges than walls.” That suggests he is unlikely to be voting for far-right anti-immigration candidate Marine Le Pen, who is expected to fall to moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron in Sunday’s election.

Well done, mon ami.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 3:39am

Truly a space case!

@mimi