who else is very concerned about the france election?

[mboxfrogger]

I find Le Pen a scary figure. My house decorator, who is French, thinks it could happen.

I think she could drag France out of the European Union. Whatever failings the EU might have (e.g. being bureaucratic), it has kept the peace in Europe. You don't need to know much history to be aware Europe spent the previous 1000 years having almost constant wars. France is an important counter-balance to Germany in the EU and Le Pen would destabilise that.

Obviously the UK is not exactly helping matters with it's Brexit, but it is run by a right-wing government rather than actual fascists like Le Pen. (It is right wing by UK standards, but that's different to the USA version of right wing. The UK version is  more socially liberal, but financially very conservative - so gay marriage is fine, but God help you if you are poor.)

Unfortunately the path to isolationism and the rise of nationalism was set in the 2008 financial crisis. To be honest I'm surprised it has taken this long to happen.

i am sincerely hoping she gets knocked out in the first round, and frankly it's a scary deja vu scenario when i see french political pundits saying "we will not have another trump situation here" i'm just like... agh don't be so foolhardy to be that confident that the bad thing just cannot and will not happen.

- S.

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I find Le Pen a scary figure. My house decorator, who is French, thinks it could happen.

I think she could drag France out of the European Union. Whatever failings the EU might have (e.g. being bureaucratic), it has kept the peace in Europe. You don't need to know much history to be aware Europe spent the previous 1000 years having almost constant wars. France is an important counter-balance to Germany in the EU and Le Pen would destabilise that.

Obviously the UK is not exactly helping matters with it's Brexit, but it is run by a right-wing government rather than actual fascists like Le Pen. (It is right wing by UK standards, but that's different to the USA version of right wing. The UK version is  more socially liberal, but financially very conservative - so gay marriage is fine, but God help you if you are poor.)

Unfortunately the path to isolationism and the rise of nationalism was set in the 2008 financial crisis. To be honest I'm surprised it has taken this long to happen.

i am sincerely hoping she gets knocked out in the first round, and frankly it's a scary deja vu scenario when i see french political pundits saying "we will not have another trump situation here" i'm just like... agh don't be so foolhardy to be that confident that the bad thing just cannot and will not happen.

- S.

also the aftermath of brexit is a disgrace. all of the proponents are backpedalling on their platforms and promises. especially that man, i forget his name, but he was in that video where he just absolutely roasted that UN member in parliament which was in such poor taste even the british accent didn't subconsciously soften my opinion about his rudeness.

-S.