Yesterday the PS (Parti Socialist) in France chose their candidate for the presidential elections which will be held next spring (April for the first round and May for the second).
The winner was Segolene Royal who will now be the first woman to have a serious chance at becoming the President of France. The PS is the major party on the left of the political spectrum, and its nominee almost always has a serious chance to win. The PS is loosely similar to the Democrats in the U.S. or the Labor Party in the U.K.
The major party on the right of the spectrum is the UMP, which has not yet decided its candidate or even how he or she will be chosen. The presumption is that the controversial Nicolas Sarkozy will be the candidate, but other leading party figures have expressed interest. Jacques Chirac, the current President, is even leaving the door open for another term. His job satisfaction ratings have been low for some time (in the 30% range), and it would seem unlikely that he could win again, as the French people seem ready for a change at the top.
Current polls show Royal and Sarkozy in a dead heat for a second term race, but polls in France can be misleading, especially with this much time to the actual election.
Back to Beaux Voyages Home
