French Presidential Election Soon

For John, BLUF:  This could be bigger than the election of Mr Donald Trump.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The World’s New Ideological Fault Line Runs Through France

Here is the sub-headline:

Presidential election is likely to pit nationalist Le Pen against globalist Macron

The Source is The Wall Street Journal and the Reporter is Mr Greg Ip, on 29 March 2017.

Following is the lede plus one.  Note that the rest of the article is behind a pay wall at this point.

In France as in most of the West, politics has long been dominated by a left wing and a right wing party.  This year an earthquake is in the making:  If current polls are borne out, neither the left-wing Socialists nor right-wing Republicans will make it past the first round of the presidential election in April.

Instead, two parties that have never held power will proceed to May’s runoff.  And both agree their contest isn’t over traditional issues of right and left, such as taxes and spending.  Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front, says it’s between “globalists and patriots” or, as supporters of Emmanuel Macron, leader of the upstart En Marche (“Forward”) put it, “open and closed.”

The election in France is Sunday, 23 April, with a runoff on 7 May.♠

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Note the "runoff".  For my friends who wish to do away with the Electoral College and go direct election, if we are to truly sense the mind of the voters we need a runoff election.  Otherwise one runs a very high risk of having a minority President.  That isn't a good thing.