main page
"To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
|
click here for a bigger sunset
One small voice in the proud tradition of FreeBlogging*
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
posted by gbarto at 5:03 AM:
Newest headline at Le Monde: Raffarin Opposes His Majority to the Strikes. That is, of course, a parliamentary majority; polls are split on whether the protesters have majority support but Raffarin doesn't. Nonetheless, this piece makes it sound like he intends to proceed carefully, according to procedure, doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, and that's that. No mention of consequences for him. This sort of bloody-mindedness may well be exactly what the situation calls for: Calling your reforms historic, then leaving it understood that you'll go down defending them because they're more important than you, makes it a little harder for the unions to threaten Raffarin and makes it a little easier for him to appear noble over what is, in the end, politics. But this is good to see, because for all the bile with which we hurl that word, "politics," it is in the end about finding a process for deciding the relationship between the people and the government, in this case a government of the people. Raffarin means well, which is nice. He seems to understand this, as opposed to being ready to confess to his awfulness, which is better. One other striking thing: In his belief that more needs to be done for the economy, he is pushing for tax cuts - cuts the EU would forbid as fiscally irresponsible. Chirac and friends made Iraq a pain in the ass for us, but if they're just as zealous in defending what they perceive as in France's best interest in spite of the EU, this could be fun. Provided they can hold it together long enough to get there. In any case, the absence of government capitulation has me feeling a little better about the situation. The unions may make a hash of things; the question is whether the public will be blackmailed, since the government doesn't seem interested in backing down. Which means that for all the manageering of France by governments, it is the people who will decide this one in the end. Provided the government holds firm, I hope the people will have the sense to stand by it, if only by staying back and trusting in this seemingly imperturbable leadership to do its thing absent the public's joining the unions in the streets.* * *
French Elections, 1st round
Second round special page
Second Round Results Map
The TurkeyBlog main page contains only the 20 most recent entries.
To go further back, check the archive in the right hand bar.
