An End to Frenzied Oscillation

Much is being said about the recent presidential election in France. Much will be said about it for many decades into the future. For those of you who don't yet realize it, the election of Nicolas Sarkozy last week is one of the most significant moments in modern history. It could yet prove to be as significant as the ascension of Napoleon. The following excerpts are from a powerful editorial in France's Le Figaro newspaper. "Victory for Movement" Editorial by Nicolas Beytout - Le Figaro What a victory, what punch. Nicolas Sarkozy's masterly victory is certainly one of those that will leave a lasting mark on the country's history. First, for the long succession of records that it crowns: an exceptionally active and hard-fought campaign, a massive turnout in the first and second rounds, and, above all, a score not achieved against the left since General de Gaulle. Second, because this sterling election marks the end of an era and puts paid to an impressive string of received ideas around which political life in France has long been organized. This applies, for example, to that curse whereby the government in office always loses the election: for the first time in three decades a candidate from the outgoing team has been elected by the French people. We are done, then, with the systematic changeover of political power between parties, that frenzied oscillation which has too often seen the country make and then unmake what it had just built. What a defeat, what a slap in the face. In addition to the extremely low score achieved by Segolene Royal (among the worst second rounds for the left since 1965), it is actually the first time for 30 years that the opposition has failed to impose a changeover of political power, and, moreover, when up against a declining regime. And this is the third time in a row that the Socialists have stumbled in a presidential election. Having already been removed far from power for five years, here they are threatened with suffering the longest stint of opposition since the 1960s? The Socialist party has failed, and the left has broken up. FULL EDITORIAL at Le Figaro...