Amy Mek
In a historic turn of events, the second and final round of France’s snap legislative elections is currently underway, with a record turnout estimated at 67.1% as of 5 PM. This significant participation reveals the high stakes of this election, which will determine the next prime minister of France and shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
The Background
French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament and called for these snap elections following a significant defeat in the European Parliament elections on June 9. The conservative-leaning, anti-illegal immigration National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, emerged victorious in the first round of the legislative elections on June 30, securing 33% of the vote. This was followed by the New Popular Front, a broad leftist coalition, with nearly 28%, and Macron’s ruling coalition trailing with 20%.
Implications of the Election
The outcome of these elections is poised to have profound implications for France, Europe, and the broader international community. A victory for the conservative-leaning National Rally could significantly shift France’s stance on critical issues, including tightening immigration controls, prioritizing national sovereignty over EU mandates, enhancing law enforcement and national security, and adopting economic protectionism. Such an outcome could also diminish Macron’s influence during his remaining three years as president.
A Flawed Electoral System?
One of the most contentious aspects of the French electoral system is its two-round structure, which many critics argue favors leftist coalitions over a clear winner. In the first round, a candidate or party must secure an absolute majority to win outright, which rarely happens. This necessitates a second round where left-leaning parties often form strategic alliances to block the leading party, particularly if it leans right, from gaining a majority.
Proponents of a single-round system, like that used in the United Kingdom, argue that it is more straightforward and democratic. Under such a system, the National Rally would have secured approximately 295 deputies after the first round, more accurately reflecting its substantial support base.
Allegations of Election Scamming
Adding to the controversy, a video has surfaced showing a left-wing French woman explaining how to invalidate an entire ballot box. She describes a method where a voter loudly declares their choice before casting their ballot, which can lead to the entire box being invalidated if done in a constituency with a high concentration of votes for a particular party. This tactic, she suggests, could be used to disenfranchise voters in areas where the National Rally is expected to perform well.
This revelation has sparked outrage and calls for greater transparency and integrity in the electoral process. It highlights the lengths to which many individuals will go to influence the outcome of the elections and raises serious questions about the fairness of the current system. As French journalist Damien Rieu points out in response to the video, “Lying, hitting, insulting, and cheating: the four weapons of the far left.”
The Road Ahead
As the voting stations close at 8 PM Paris time, initial projections and early official results will begin to trickle in. The nation waits to see if Marine Le Pen’s National Rally will secure a majority, potentially ushering in a new era of French politics. The implications of this election are far-reaching, with the potential to reshape France’s role in Europe and the world.
France stands at a crossroads. The high voter turnout reflects the electorate’s desire for change and the importance of this election. As the country awaits the final results, the debate over the electoral system and the integrity of the voting process continues to rage.
Vlad Tepes
Praying for Le Pen 😇
The girl in the video was adorable too. Those glasses made her look too studious, but she was so cute when she was speaking Français.
“Biden calls into ‘Morning Joe,’ remains defiant about staying in the race: ‘I am not going anywhere’
Biden calls debate a ‘terrible night’ ”
GET RID OF THAT IDIOT BIDEN!
YES BIDEN-THE-TOILET-BIDET, YOU ARE GOING TO HELL TOGETHER WITH ALL YOUR CRIMINAL CABAL!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
TO HELL WITH ALL THE CRIMINALS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!
IMMEDIATELY!
NEXT, TO HELL WITH ALL THE CRIMINAL EU “LEADERS” (except the real leader Orban).
[After the election]
The fix was in. RN and the people of France got screwed again.
Since the turn of the century there has, in principle, been a simple – if ambitious – remedy, which was not feasible before. We could now make every vote count such that none go wasted and we are never coerced into tactical voting. Start with the idea that, for election, a candidate should obtain a fixed number of votes, say seventy thousand.
Abandon the fixation on geographical constituency and replace it with another, namely that an MP should represent those unknown individuals who voted for him or her wherever they may live.
A while after the polls close there would be a public convention for the redistribution of votes from candidates who fell far short of the threshold. Those closer to the threshold would canvass votes from these minority candidates, adding to their tally until they had the magic seventy thousand.
This amounts to recycling of votes cast. But, note, the recycling is done by minority candidates using their best judgment, not by any ranking or second round of voting by ordinary citizens, which would be prohibitively complicated. Nor can any minority candidates be instructed on how to use their contingent of votes. The principle at work here is that the procedure should not be onerous for the ordinary citizen. You identify a candidate you trust, vote for them, and then it is out of your hands.
This procedure would generate a genuinely representative parliament or assembly.
Great detail at my website.
I left out the website address because the moderator form had asked for it but then it was not published. I have called the concept above “fuzzy democracy” and, in one word, it is at an eu domain. “Fuzzy” as in “fuzzy logic,” i.e. approximate. There are hours of reading there replying to every conceivable objection and criticising popular alternatives.
I should add that the concept was not available last century. Only now are people familiar with screens and searching. The counting of thousands of permutations would need computers. Paper printouts for purposes of audit and transparency.
Liberals will do anything to get their way. They have absolutely no moral values. The most abrasive entitled people on earth. They are totalitarian dictators.