French Legislative Elections -- Overwhelming Victory for the Right

It just goes to show that socialism never works. Neither does any other kind of ism.

Some of both, if past history is any guide. "Politics is the art of what is possible." There is always a difference between campaign rhetoric and what is actually done. Always.

Sarko seems to have a clear enough mandate that he can actually go ahead with some of his policies, but there will be opposition. Everybody knows that in France, the "third party" is "the street." There will necessarily be strikes and demonstrations.

If it looks like the opposition could cost the government the next election, they give in more. If they think they can tough it out, they tend to "stick to their guns" a bit more. At present, they can probably afford not to cave in too much to the pressure from "the street," but they still have to listen somewhat. It's a part of French politics. If you don't throw them a bone now and then, as least, you simply don't last.

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everyone in chat

I can't help thinking that this pic is appropriate to this thread