The French Elections will Decide: Fewer Rich or Fewer Poor?

Last night’s debate between incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy and opposing Socialist candidate François Hollande is all the media can talk about today. I watched a couple of hours of the three-hour debate as did 17.9 million people and left with as different an opinion as those that were interviewed on national TV this morning.

The quotes that sums up the entire election (from my point of view) are this:

“The difference between you and me is that you want fewer rich people and I want fewer poor people,” Mr. Sarkozy told his Socialist rival. “Well, with you, we had more poor people and richer rich people,” Mr. Hollande replied.

Immigration was a big issue, of course, and one in which they went head to head heatedly. “The candidates tangled on immigration in the debate, with Sarkozy attacking Hollande’s proposal to give long-term, non-European foreign residents the right to vote in local elections.” (reuters.com)

“Mr. Sarkozy, apparently fishing for the votes of far-right supporters of Marine Le Pen — who got about 18 percent of the vote in the first round, and refused yesterday to endorse either man in Sunday’s runoff — insisted that allowing immigrants to vote in municipal elections would result in some French communities segregating swimming pools between men and women, having different doctors treat men and women in local hospitals etc. The reason, he suggested without making an absolute connection, is that most of the immigrants who would benefit from the right to vote are Muslim. Mr. Hollande seemed genuinely horrified by this, noting that many French citizens are Muslim and somehow have not imposed Islamic ways on their communities. “What permits you to say that foreigners who are not European are Muslim,” he challenged.” (nytimes.com)

Much to our dismay, they did not discuss housing — a big issue that affects us as greatly if not more so than immigration. The Socialist perspective, however, will not be favorable toward property owners and investors as their role in protecting the ‘underdog.’ This means that while we may not agree with Sarkozy’s policies toward immigration, we do agree with him on the ethics that resemble our own — “Work more, earn more.”

Sunday’s election results will largely depend on how the public viewed the success of the candidates in this debate and how those who voted for the other candidates in the first round will swing their votes. For some fun, have a look at Reuters’ vote calculator online: French Presidential Election Calculator.

And then…let’s pray.

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider

(photo by Phil Mash)

Email: [email protected]

P.S. We have a new House Hunters International Episode airing soon! “Sizing up the Parisian Suburbs” Episode HHINT-3803H — airing May 29, 2012 at 1:30 a.m. EST/PST and 10:30 p.m. EST/PST. “Captivated by the Parisian way of life, nomadic couple Rich and Rachel are excited for the job opportunity that’s allowing them settle long term in the City of Light. Paris is known for its beautiful yet cramped architecture, but with baby number two on the way, space is more important than ever. Real Estate Consultant Adrian Leeds knows their $1,300 budget will go farther in the banlieues but even here, space is considered petite by American standards… Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss the show. For the full summary and more information click on the link above.

P.P.S. And to any of you who don’t mind recording it and sending it so we can see it, too, we’d be greatly appreciative!