Sarkozy by a nose
On this Derby weekend, Sarkozy has been declared the winner in the French presidential election. He will succeed Jacques Chirac who has served in the role for the past 12 years. The vote was fairly close with Sarkozy at 53% versus 47% for Royal.
The statistic that impressed me more: CNN reports that more than 75% of registered voters had been to the polls by 5 pm. Compare that to America where the average total voter turnout for a National election is a mere 54%. Truly worrying considering the power over our lives bestowed on the winner.
Of course, I say this having not watched either of the debates over the past week and a half. I was far too busy obsessing over whether Paris Hilton would get jail time.
Update: total voter turnout now projected to be 85%. This is a record high for France, but their previous average of 76% still puts us to shame.
6 comments:
At last count 85% went to the polls. Perhaps because they're clever enough to hold elections on the weekend?
A friend and I had that very conversation last night. Maybe I don't give Americans enough credit, but I'm not even sure holding elections on a Sunday would help. The vast majority of us are so apathetic about our leaders, I'm afraid having to go to the polls on a weekend would just be seen as cutting into leisure time. Am I overly cynical?
The friend I spoke to last night relayed another horror story - on the morning of the last election, the polls in his district opened at 6:00 am. He dutifully showed up at 6:30 and the voting machines were broken. He was then given a paper ballot to cast his choice, and the candidates listed were those from another district. They had the wrong forms. What a mess!
I called a friend who was in Paris on business last night to ask if she had remembered there was an election going on. Being Norwegian, it hadn't crossed her mind. She was staying in a hotel right on the Champs Elysee... and called me to say, of all places to have chosen for a business dinner, the hotel was where Sarko was to hold his celebration! Huge security, restaurant closed, etc. etc. Ah, the best laid plans... but she did say he walked by her within a metre and a half, and she was amazed how small he is. Neither here nor there, that comment.
Your friend's plans may have been ruined, but that's a great story!
You may not have noticed, but this entire blog is dedicated to "neither here nor there." To further the point: apparently, Mike Bloomberg is only 5' 4".
Do they serve food at the polls in France? I'm wondering if that's the motivation.
Separately, I heard that Sarkozy is forming an alliance with the people of Switzerland and Wisconsin. He's cornering the global cheese market. Joan, you're up for the Ambassador of Grand Fromage post. Do you plan to accept?
It goes without saying I am the most qualified person for the Ambassador of Grand Fromage post. Let's face it, the appointment would simply be a recognition of the work I'm already doing.
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