JOAN OF ARC V NAPOLEON ; Hopefuls Neck and Neck As France Goes to Polls
By VINCENT MOSS,; IAN SPARKS in Paris
FRANCE goes to the polls today with glamorous left-winger Segolene Royal hoping to become France’s first female president.
The last opinion polls before the voting booths open showed her closing the gap to within one point of her rival Nicolas Sarkozy.
Under the French system, the country’s 48 million voters will today choose two candidates to go head-to-head for the presidency on May 6. But if one of them wins more than 50 per cent of the vote today, they will automatically become president.
So far, Right-winger Sarkozy, who models himself on emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, has been the front-runner.
But he is now facing a real challenge from Socialist Royal – whose heroine is Joan Of Arc, burnt at the stake after fighting the English during the Hundred Years’ War.
Although Sarkozy is leading the race on 27 per cent, mother-of- four Royal is snapping at his heels on 26 per cent. Downing Street is closely watching the battle to replace centre-right Jacques Chirac after 12 years as France’s “Gaullist” president.
They believe the outcome could be critical in relations between London and Paris – and the rest of Europe.
During the campaign, Royal branded Sarkozy a dangerous brute for suggesting that being a paedophile was a genetic condition. He had already accused Royal of siding with fraudsters and cheats for refusing to condemn rioters at a Paris railway station.
In the last day of official campaigning on Friday, Sarkozy posed on a horse in a bid to bolster his tough-guy image.
In contrast, Royal held a picnic in her South-West France constituency – and posed on the grass with a glass of wine and a sandwich.
The mudslinging continued this weekend with Sarkozy’s opponents questioning the absence of his wife Cecilia from his campaign. Twice- married Sarkozy separated from ex-model Cecilia briefly last year after she had an affair.
Sarkozy is a big admirer of Tony Blair and wants to copy his efforts to modernise public services and change France. Echoing the PM’s admission that the reforms had left him “with the scars on his back”, he said on Friday: “I am covered in scars.”
His tough line on law and order and immigration has won support across large parts of France. But millions are wary of his plans to make them work harder, earning him the nickname “the French Margaret Thatcher”. Critics say his policies could spark national strikes.
Royal is promising a more feminine style of leadership. Her slick style and easy charm have meant she has been called “Tony Blair in a skirt”.
But she has started to play down her admiration for Mr Blair in an attempt to woo traditional Socialists.
Both candidates face a challenge from the “Third Man” – ex- farmer Francois Bayrou, who presents himself in the centre ground and who was on 16 per cent in the polls.
The fourth major name in the frame is National Front leader Jean- Marie Le Pen, still campaigning for his extremist policies at 78. He was on 17 per cent.
French political commentator Thierry Bocuse said: “Sarkozy and Royal are clear favourites. But whoever wins, France will never be the same.”
The country is desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2002 election, when the Socialist vote was split between three candidates – allowing Le Pen to make it to the final round before suffering a massive defeat to Jacques Chirac.
SEGOLENE ROYAL (Joan of Arc) ODDS: 3/1
PARTY: Socialist Party.
AGE: 53.
BACKGROUND: Her partner is Francois Hollande, leader of the Socialist Party, who would be France’s first “First Man” if she is elected. They have been live-in lovers for 25 years and have four children.
PERSONALITY: Described as charming and a devoted parent by fans, arrogant and empty-headed by enemies.
PREVIOUS JOBS: Adviser to ex-Socialist President Francois Mitterand; junior family minister; junior education minister.
POLICIES: Promises to bring women’s salaries in line with men’s and up benefits for single mums. Would increase public spending in some areas and is pro-immigration. Wants to re-nationalise power firm EDF. Called “Tony Blair in a skirt” by opponents.
BIGGEST GAFFE: Failed to condemn a tirade against Israel and America made by a Hezbollah MP while she was on a visit to the Lebanon.
NICOLAS SARKOZY (Napoleon) 2/5 fav.
PARTY: Ruling right-wing UMP (Union For A Popular Movement).
AGE: 52.
BACKGROUND: Son of a Hungarian immigrant. A child by second wife, ex-model Cecilia, and two by first wife. His marriage is on the rocks after Cecilia had an affair with American businessman Richard Attias.
PERSONALITY: A charismatic workaholic with a short temper.
PREVIOUS JOBS: Mayor of posh Paris suburb of Neuilly; Interior Minister.
POLICIES: Hardline on law and order and immigration. Wants to scrap 35-hour working week, cut red tape and taxes and reduce bloated civil service.
BIGGEST GAFFE: Criticising gangs of youngsters before 2005 Paris riots as “racaille” – which means scum or rabble.
JEAN-MARIE LE PEN (50/1)
PARTY: National Front. AGE: 78.
BACKGROUND: Married to Jenny. They have two daughters – both devoted National Front activists.
PERSONALITY: Seen by critics as a thuggish racist, by supporters as a patriot.
PREVIOUS JOBS: French Foreign Legion. Started political career in 195G.
POLICIES: Ferociously anti-immigration. Has been convicted for making racist and anti-Semitic statements. Supports death penalty and national service and wants more cash for the military, hhook establishment in 2002 by making it to the final round of Presidential election.
BIGGEST GAFFE: Caused outrage in 1987 by describing the Nazi gas chambers as “a detail of history”.
FRANCOIS BAYROU (5/1)
PARTY: Centrist UDF Party (Union For French Democracy). AGE: 56.
BACKGROUND: Devout Catholic. He and wife Elizabeth have six children.
PERSONALITY: Still owns a tractor and can milk a cow. Uses his farming roots to connect with voters. Once joked “plodding along at tractor speed” should be fashionable.
PREVIOUS JOBS: Farmer and teacher; education minister.
POLICIES: Billed as the “Third Man”, he wants to bridge gap between left and right.
BIGGEST GAFFE: Blew his chances in 2002 election by saymg he would back Jacques Chirac if he lost in the first round.
vincent.moss@mgn.co.uk
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