The possibility of the far-right Front National (FN) coming to power in France’s Departmental elections (formerly known as Cantonal elections), has obscured a far more significant change that France has effected in its political system.

In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, France is in the throes of rediscovering its spirit of French nationalism.

However, the first round of the elections has given a comfortable majority to the conservative party, the UMP (the Union for the Popular Movement and the party of Nicolas Sarkozy), with a projected 37 per cent vote and an honourable score to the socialist party, the PS (the Socialist Party), with 27 per cent.

The first round of polls was held on March 22, the second round will be on March 29. Departmental councillors are elected for six years.

If the far right were to come to power in these elections, it could have an impact on France’s immigration policy and the prospect of a more pro-active role in Europe.

Systemic change

But the far right’s bid for power is not the only noteworthy thing about these elections. The big change is France’s new system of representation, called the binomial system.

Basically, it means all candidature is in pairs — one man, one woman. The idea is to have better gender representation.

To be elected, the binomial must simultaneously receive an absolute majority and the vote of a fourth of the registered voters. If no binomial wins in the first round, a second round is organised. In the second round the binomial that secures 12.5 per cent of the votes of registered voters is entitled to present itself.

However, as this second condition is strict, particularly because of the often-high rate of voter abstention, the electoral code permits the binomial that has gathered the most votes (after the binomial fulfilling the conditions) to present itself.

Conditions in France are in fact ideal for the growth of the FN. France’s high unemployment rate and the lack of any sign of an economic revival could lend support to victory of the FN.

France is suffering the consequences of the financial crisis, which is further compounded by the European Commission’s demand that France reduce its deficit. The FN has capitalised on this economic downturn by proposing measures such as closing the border to immigrants.

Bigger churns

The FN appeals to voters who find their economic and social position threatened by globalisation. Small business owners are promised a reduction in taxes, which, however, may not be sustainable.

The FN advocates withdrawal from the Euro zone and the European Union.

This would lead to France having its own currency. Increasing regulations on cross border trade would however hurt France’s exports, which may, in turn, lead to unemployment, devaluation of currency, inflation and public debt.

After the first round of elections, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls is reported to have said that, “the total of votes for the left is the same as for the right. This means that nothing has been decided during this first round and that the left must unify.”

France could combat the growth of the far right by focusing on economic policies that would foster a stable economy.

This could calm fears of an economic recession and could lead to the victory of a more moderate party in the local elections that would in turn have bearing on the 2017 Presidential elections.

The writer teaches French at Delhi University

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