French voters go to the polls on Sunday, April 10. Eleven candidates are vying for the top job. But no one will get it this weekend. To be declared the winner, a candidate must get more than 50 percent of the ballots cast. That won’t happen this weekend. Instead, the top two finishers will face off against each other on April 24th. Everyone says it will be the current President, Emmanuel Macron vs. Marine Le Pen. But very few people are willing to predict the winner. Just a little while ago, Macron held a large lead. But that lead has dwindled. With three days to go, it might get tighter.
France’s system of two elections to choose a leader is different from Canada’s. First, Canadian voters don’t choose the Prime Minister. They vote for someone to represent them in their riding. They elect a Member of Parliament. With very few exceptions, the MP is a member of one of the major political parties. The leader of the party with the most MPs becomes the Prime Minister. Occasionally, the leader of the party isn’t even an MP. If that happens, an MP in a “safe” riding will give up his or her seat so the Prime Minister can sit in the House of Commons.
The second difference is, unlike France, it is not necessary to get more than 50 percent of the votes. Whoever gets the most votes, even if well under 50 percent, wins. It’s a bit controversial as it means a single vote in one riding can mean that party can form the next government. And the almost identical number of people who voted for the other candidate may feel they get no representation. There’s always talk of changing it – but no party actually wants to do so as it would be more difficult to win in the next election.
Another difference is campaign posters – and what actually prompted me to add this chapter.
Instead of campaign posters being posted everywhere, on just about every available surface, with or without permission – and, in spite of the rules, remaining in place well after the election, France has a great system.
Towns put up temporary billboards – and it is upon them that election posters are placed. After the election, the billboards (and posters) are removed. Seems like a very civilized way to handle it.
Okay, not completely civilized. Posters still get defaced. But at least there’s not spray paint all over the wall of a building. And Zemmour and his devil’s horns will be gone by the end of the month.