that detailed explanation of the French electoral system certainly explains why they are so screwed-up
How so?
To a Norwegian it sounds a bit American to me.
Presidential elections. The winner needs 50 percent I believe, so if noone gets it. They have a second round.
It would be like in 1992 having a second round run off between Clinton and Bush. Bush would probably have won, and no agony for 8 years. And, sadly - probably no freerublic. lol.