A Struggling Campaign

While Ségolène Royal emerged has the frontrunner during my stay in France, it seems more and more apparent that times are quickly changing. Not only has Nicolas Sarkozy taken the lead by 9 points according to recent polls but also Francois Bayrou, president of UDF, a centrist political party, has just caught up with Ségolène and is tied for 2nd place.

Ségolène has been consistently criticized for her lack of experience and untactful communication strategies that are too “public-based” and often wishy-washy. While she is targeting the general public for their opinions, many believe she lacks vital presidential qualities, which has caused her to decline in the polls during the last month. Most recently, Ségolène has experienced another setback. On March 16th, one of her former advisers, Eric Besson, attacked her as “an incompetent amateur and egomaniac who was a danger to France.” Besson, 46, resigned last month as the Socialists’ chief economic strategist. In his “tell-all” book he writes: “In all conscience I do not think that Ségolene Royal should become president of the Republic. I do not wish it for my country. I fear it for my children. She has an ultra-personal conception of power. Her only motive is personal glory. She uses and abuses demagoguery. We are in France, not in Latin America, even if the resemblances are disturbing.” Besson’s job was to evaluate the policies Ségolène proposes. He resigned (and left the Socialist party) in protest of a lack of respect from Ségolène and the party. Besson titled his book, “Who here knows Eric Besson?” in response to the putdown that Ségolène publicly inflicted on him after his resignation.

While Ségolène has dismissed this book, it is apparent that the French people have not. She humiliated a former employee, and has had multiple people quit working for her and go public with negative descriptions. With her goal of winning the presidency, this negative imagery is only detrimental.

I see a similar sentiment of the French public and the American people during the last presidential election. Instead of people choosing to vote for Kerry, many saw the vote as a vote against Bush. This same rationale is widely discussed throughout French media and has been deemed “TSS” –tout sauf Ségolène, or tout sauf Sarkozy – all but Ségolène/Sarkozy. This has given new hope to Bayrou, the centrist candidate who was previously ignored by both dominant parties, yet now finds himself in the center of spotlight. He offers a less extremist perspective, and many seem him as the more experienced and genuine candidate.

In a presidential campaign, the final goal is clearly to win. This is the ideal result. In order to do so, it is crucial to act consistently presidential, and continue on an upward trajectory gaining support. It serves no benefit to lose it. While Ségolène began her campaign with an “inclusive” strategy, she has been inconsistent, and at this point, it looks like it might cost her the presidency.


Sources:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1527795.ece
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,472503,00.html
http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=27&si=107823&breakingnews=1