a woman is up for being president of France

[donsu]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1950382,00.html


Clear victory for Royal in race to be president


· French socialists give firm endorsement
· Pledge to change the face of country's politics


Ségolène Royal's battle to become the first woman president of France begins in earnest today, after the Socialist party last night overwhelmingly endorsed her as their candidate in next April's election.

The "madonna of the opinion polls", whose personal battle against a domineering military colonel father and the perceived sexism of her party's old guard has fascinated France even more than her policies, secured a decisive victory after a rancorous US-style primary.

"This moment of happiness is an intense experience. You won't be disappointed," she told party members last night, as it appeared that she had taken 55-60% of the vote. She repeated her promise to "change the face of French politics", saying that she was preparing to "climb the mountain" of next spring's elections to wrestle power from the right.

-snip-

Ms Royal's victory makes her the first woman presidential candidate for a major party in France. It also cements the 53-year-old mother of four as the senior partner of France's ultimate power couple: her partner is party leader François Hollande.

-snip-

She is best known for campaigns against school bullying and child pornography, and for introducing paternity leave. Her rise has been so unexpected that a book last year profiling the 15 most likely presidential winners, she was not mentioned. Although educated at an elite graduate school where she met her partner, Francois Hollande, the Socialist party leader, she has positioned herself as an outsider who will reengage with the people and end the reign of the political elite - she sees the people as the "experts", and wants citizen juries to hold politicians to account.
-snip-
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yea! wishing her good luck and hoping the women of France back and help her.

[valerief]

1. I'm sure when the US press reports this (if they do), they'll be sure

to note what designer clothes she's wearing and what the color is.

[LilyLibber]

3. As much as it pains me to say it,

you're probably right. I hate that.

Anyway, I want to offer my support and congratulations to this trailblazing woman. :applause:

[bikebloke]

5. One of her oponents has already played that card

I forget which of the two, but he said she would read her recipes for either a speech or debate.

[LilyLibber]

11. Aw, ferchrissakes!

What a cheap and ignorant shot! :eyes:

[Marnieworld]

2. Allez la Femme!

My very weak attempt at saying You go Girl! en francais.

[bigtree]

4. She ran as a 'conservative*' praising Blair

Royal's French Lesson

By EURSOC Two
06 June, 2006

Ségolène Royal learned this weekend just how little the Socialist Party has taken her presidential candidacy to its heart. Following Royal's proposals to take a tougher line on violent hoodlums, party chiefs have quickly seized the chance to paint her as a right-winger posing as a leftist.

Up to now, it's been mostly plain sailing. Royal's still undeclared candidacy has been warmly welcomed by France's citizens - who are beginning to rate her above centre-right challenger Nicolas Sarkozy in the polls - while the Socialist Party hierarchy limited its disapproval to sexist snickering. Interviews where she professed an admiration for Tony Blair - in leftist French life, a confession on a level with worshipping Satan - were dismissed, or perhaps filed away for future attacks. Her ever-so-mildly liberal views on reform of the French economy went the same way, as did her conservative views on homosexual marriage.

http://www.eursoc.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1016/Royal's_French_Lesson.html

[riderinthestorm]

6. With Blair gone within a year, Bu$h gone sooner or later (but no later than 2 yrs)

a woman leader in Germany....

I am very hopeful for some real change in Western leadership. It's time. Long past time for attitudinal shifts to begin occurring. Interesting times!

[Marnieworld]

7. If she wins and is really lucky

Maybe she'll get one of those heads-of state backrubs!

[riderinthestorm]

8. LOL! Touche! nt

[hogwyld]

9. I hope that she brings back the cornerstones of socialism

Like the 35 hr work week, labor/union protections, and I especially hope she rolls back most of the conservative crap that has been enacted these past 10 years. France has always been a leader in it's social policies, and it can show the world the unbridled capitalism is not end all and be all, but a balance between quality of life and work is the best way.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. They have a 35 hour week now, but she's questioning it

The Socialist candidate says she supports ``practical'' solutions to problems including education and security. She roiled the intramural debate by straying from Socialist orthodoxy, questioning the 35-hour work week and criticizing teachers for moonlighting while letting down their students.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aVX0F_aqUYMY&refer=europe