Front National and Marie Le Pen

[Nicholas]

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A leading French sociologist, Gerard Mermet has said that it would only take one country in Europe to elect a Nationalist government and the whole multicultural edifice would come tumbling down like a pack of cards.

Presidential elections take place in France next year, the first round starts in April. In the 2002 elections the Front National gained 20% of the vote in the first round. In 2002 the Front National had 30,000 members, it now has more than 60,000 members and is France's third largest party.

At the end of last year we had the Paris riots. Under French law all citizens are equal, there are no special privileges for pet minorities like there are over here. French voters have turned against the political establishment over increased immigration and global competition. They voted against the new EU constitution and they are against Turkey joining the EU. There is also a fear of terrorism.

An opinion poll taken last month had the Front National on 14%. An opinion poll taken some months before the 2002 election had them on 8%, so their support has gone up by 6%.

Le Pen is now 78 years old and I would think it unlikely that he would carry on after next years elections. However, he has a 38 year old daughter, Marine, who is set to take over the leadership.
With her as leader, the party could really take off, for a start she would attract more women voters. She has also been a regular face on TV since the last elections in 2002.

The Front National have said that they would take France out of the EU and restore the French franc. They would also put the indigenous French first in housing and welfare benefits. It begs the question, how would France's 5,000,000 muslims react to a Nationalist government?

Harold Macmillan was once asked what he feared most in politics, his reply was "Events dear boy, events".

So how would a Nationalist government in France affect us in Britain, would it be the answer to our Prayers?