Result reflects Europe-wide shift to the right [The Financial Times on Le Pen]

The Financial Times ^ | April 21, 2002 | Richard Wolffe in Washington, James Blitz in Rome, Haig Simonian in Berlin, L. Crawford in Madrid

[summer]

José María Rida, a Spanish diplomat, said the events of September 11, and the reaction in the US, have made it more acceptable to voice anti-Arab sentiments in France, and have therefore given Mr Le Pen more freedom to harden his campaign against immigration from North Africa.

9-11 is the reason why I think Le Pen may actually surprise everyone and win it in May. His anti-immigration policies may be seen by voters as the way to keep terrorists out of France.

[NeoCaveman]

"In a stable democracy, there should be the alternatives of right and left. But when the only options are the right and the extreme right, then something is very seriously wrong."

Aww too bad.... LMAO at this Euro-weenie.

[billybudd]

Yeah, for the Euro-lefties, the will of the people doesn't matter quite so much when the right starts doing well. What a LOOOOSER!!

[Wphile]

I can't believe the European press is spinning this as "anti-Arab." So frickin' typical. Good Lord, maybe it has to do with just plain old economics. Perhaps the Germans don't like 11 - 20% unemployment. Sheesh...we b*itch when it gets to 6% here!! Maybe the Europeans are finally awakening to the fact that being run by a bunch of 'greens' isn't in the best interest of their respective countries, let alone Europe.

Looks like the press in Europe is as bad as the US. Yes, it is always about race. Gimme a break.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

the events of September 11, and the reaction in the US, have made it more acceptable to voice anti-Arab sentiments in France. . . the perception that Europe was moving away from the US on issues such as immigration and religious tolerance.

One nuclear bomb in a US city and our reaction will make that of the Europeans and LePen look like moderation.

[aristeides]

He's a German establishmentarian. Since WWII, German politics has revolved around denying a real voice to the far right. Understandable, really, given German history. But that era is ending.

[The Vast Right Wing]

Everything I hear on t.v. is that the guy is an anti-semite. So which is it, anti-semite or anti-arab? Really, the europeans are quite clueless, they need to get out of their castles and spend some time with the regular folks, maybe then they will understand, the masses want low taxes and jobs.....

[Dog Gone]

In Washington, political analysts suggested the rise of the far-right in France would reinforce the perception that Europe was moving away from the US on issues such as immigration and religious tolerance.

I don't understand this comment at all. If Europe moved right, it would be more like the US.

Maybe they are associating the far right with anti-semitism, which could be true, but the leftists in Europe are very vocal in their disdain for Israel.

[The Great Satan]

Even Le Pen will support the Jews against the muslim savages. He is a xenophone, but not a Nazi. If you remember, Hitler had a real love-fest going on with the mohammedans.

[teeman8r]

i hate the french

[lafroste]

But when the only options are the right and the extreme right, then something is very seriously wrong."

Well, now I'm confused. How can the defeat of a socialist be construed as a defeat of the right by the "extreme right"? Does being politically "right" or "left" have a different connotation in Euro-land? (OTOH I know we are right, and that our idealogical opponents will be left in the ash heap of history)

[crystalk]

Talk about clueless in London!

This guy says the right turn will take Europe FARTHER AWAY FROM THE USA AND ITS POSITION!

What planet does this author live on? There is rejoicing over this in the White House even as we speak, next thing you know M. LePen will be invited to the Ranch.

This is what could bring the US and Europe back together for a good crusade against Islam!

And with Israel and India aboard.

On second thought, I HAVE to be right because the Eurotrash, Euroweenies and Eurolefties that have been in control there for 57 years...have separated us so far that ANYTHING, including M. LePen, will bring us closer together.

[RobbyS]

Re: #1. Everything will depend on turn out. It was down by about 10% in this election. If the left supports Chirac as the know evil and there is more Arab violence before June, then it could cost them the Parliament. The French MAY (But they stubbornly clings to out-dated anti-colonialist attitudes) finally realize that the more Arabs there are in France, the worse things are going to get.

[Ipberg]

This guarrantees Chirac's re-election president which suits me just fine. The next question is whether the French voter will boot the Socialists into the opposition benches too?

[Torie]

next thing you know M. LePen will be invited to the Ranch.

I think you must be on steroids.

[Spar]

Ivo Daalder the pro bombing of Yugoslavia cheerleader of the Clinton-Albright shame years.

The Third Way globalist intervention was killed in Kosovo. Yugoslavian resistance stuck a stake in its heart.

[Spar]

see #19