TODAY'S WORD: Laisser le champ libre à quelqu'un
: to leave the field free for someone (to step in…)
Try Mastering French Vocabulary with Audio MP3
Improve your spoken French with Pronounce it Perfectly in French or Exercises in French Phonetics
FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTARY
by Jean-Marc Espinasse
In 2012, when his popularity rating was bad, Nicolas Sakorzy decided to run for the presidential election. It is true that after the affair of Dominique Strauss-Kahn (who was hitherto given favorite of the election), he thought maybe nobody else could win it. But he lost to Francois Hollande, not because the French voted for Holland but because they voted against Sarkozy. And if Fillon, the natural candidate had presented himself, it is certain that he would have been elected.
In 2017, a similar situation occurred. François Fillon was given largely winning but business tarnished his image. Instead of leaving his place to Alain Juppé, who would surely have won the election, he clung, like Sarkozy in 2012 (and maybe by rancor) and he left the field open to Emmanuel Macron who , Against Le Pen, had no difficulty gaining because all the classic political parties called to vote against Le Pen.
Holland and Macron have, in my opinion, won the last two elections by default, meaning that the people actually voted against Sarkozy and Fillon. Holland was very quickly persona non grata and ended up very unpopular. I'm afraid this will happen again with Macron. But the worst part of all this is that, in the end, it is the extremes that are reinforced by the fault of these politicians who claim to fight populism but only make it stronger by their selfishness.
***
You can respond to Jean-Marc's commentary – see the comments link at the end of this post
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO JEAN-MARC READ HIS COMMENTARY IN FRENCH:
En 2012, alors que sa cote de popularité était mauvaise, Nicolas Sakorzy a décidé de se représenter à l'élection Présidentielle. Il est vrai qu'après l'affaire de Dominique Strauss-Kahn (qui était jusqu'alors donné favori de l'élection), il pensait peut être que personne d'autre pourrait le gagner. Mais il a perdu contre François Hollande, non pas parce que les Français ont voté pour Hollande mais parce qu'ils ont voté contre Sarkozy. Et si Fillon, le candidat naturel s'était présenté, il est certain qu'il aurait été élu.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
Increase your vocabulary with this list. More tools here.
la cote = ratings, popularity ratings
gagner = to win
perdu (perdre) = to lose
élu (élire) = to elect
terni (ternir) = to tarnish, damage
laisser la place = to give up one's seat
accroché (accrocher) = to hang on
rancoeur = bitterness, resentment
laisser le champ libre = leave the field free (exposed, unprotected)
remporté (remporter) = to win
crains (craindre) = to fear
selon moi = in my opinion
We hope to see you in Nice! Adrian Leeds, of the Adrian Leeds Group will MC this event.
The following authors will be present, please share this event:
Lisa Anselmo – My (Part-time) Paris Life: How Running Away Brought Me Home
Patrick J. Murphy – An Art Lovers Guide to the French Riviera
Patricia Sands – The Promise of Provence, first in the Love in Provence series
Margo Lestz – Curious Histories of Provence: Tales from the South of France
Kristin Espinasse – Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language
Julia Allen – Facets, A Book of Short Stories
(view authors and book covers – download the flyer)
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you, Jean Marc !
Great analysis.
If only the Americans were so clever as the French…
For your amusement:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/french-annoyingly-retain-right-to-claim-intellectual-superiority-over-americans
Bonne continuation,
Gene
Bien sure monsieur Jean-Marc. Comme en Amerique Hilary a perdu – laissant Trump.
While I really agree with you, JM, I also know a lot of people who voted for Macron because they believe in him…and even here in the heart of FN country! That takes courage! 😉
Ah, I see you’ve fixed the English translation on your site. The one in the email was ghastly!
I, too, know many people who voted FOR Macron more than against Le Pen. Paris is a hotbed of Macron support.
Fixing the economy will mean some of the “haves” will lose out–whether it’s higher taxes, less job security, later retirement, fewer government benefits. Every change brings out angry protesters who are for cuts but only for OTHER groups. So Macron has his work cut out for him.
My impression, in a Le Pen-leaning area, is that some people who are near the bottom of the economic scale figured they had little to lose and they almost relished the economic disaster that Le Pen would have guaranteed, just because that would have finally brought some of the pain to the rich as well. Macron’s biggest challenge is to fix the excesses in the system without hurting the most vulnerable. Juppé might indeed have won, had Fillon stepped aside for him, but he didn’t sound as if he would have improved anything.
I was shocked that Le Pen lost by such a huge number of votes! I believe Macron will do nothing to curb the problems France is having with radical Muslims. It will only get worse.
Bonjour Heather
Oui même en France, il y a des optimistes.
I know people who voted for Macron rather than simply against LePen, and they are of all ages, which is an encouraging sign. It is sad, J-M, to start to dig the grave for ce jeune homme before he has even hit the Palais. Merci.
Bonjour John
Yes, in Paris particularly, people seem to be ready to go En Marche!
J’espère que vous avez tort. Je pense que les Français ont choisi le meilleur candidat disponible et ont rejeté le démagogue et le raciste Le Pen et le FN.
Je préférerais beaucoup que M. Macron habite à la Maison-Blanche maintenant. Trump est un idiot, mais le pouvoir que nous lui avons donné – le bouton rouge pour anéantir tout le monde sur notre planète – nous met tout en danger.
Une question, Jean-Marc (and thank you for your election analysis) — Is it true, as I read in one news report, that when M. Macron appeared at the Louvre for his victory speech, the EU anthem rather than the French national anthem was played? I find that rather difficult to believe.
Dana said – in English
I hope you’re wrong. I think the French have chosen the best available candidate and rejected the demagogue and the racist Le Pen and the front national.
I’d much rather Mr. Macron live in the White House now. Trump is an idiot, but the power we gave – the red button to destroy everyone on our planet – puts us all in danger.
I agree. The Americans, of which I am one, have lost their minds. Indeed Trump is an idiot which is the most frightening part. The Republicans will do everything possible to increase the power and economic value of the 1%
( or less ) and people like me ( living only on SS if it even lasts through the next few years ) are in deep shut.
The perhaps saddest part of the last several years is the “coming out” of the prejudice which has been there forever but suppressed in American society.
for decades. It appears – if the President can say it – then all Hell breaks loose. I am sad and frightened and ashamed of this country. I no longer feel American.
I hope Marcin can pull if offf and pull it together. Thank God Le Pen did not win.
I am on my iPhone with small print at 4:30am. I apologize for the spelling and structure mistakes made above.
Blue Butterflies to you all,
Sh’reen Morrison
Very good analysis from jeamn-Marc, but I think we have to let time test M. Macron. I do wonder what sort of art he will produce – helped by his art teacher?!
Apologies for typos.
Good morning! Thank you for your analysis of the French election. You have the most beautiful walks – enjoy.
With a 65% take on the votes, I beg to differ with you Jean Marc! I think he won fair and square and on the issues. I’m sure you follow US politics and see the mess we made of people NOT voting because the didn’t like either candidate, but we ended up in a worse mess. I do believe France will embrace this young man and his ideas. We will wait and see as always!
Thank you for sharing Jean-Marc’s analysis of your Presidential election. Hard to tell here in the US, as the news is filtered and shared, often, with personal bias ranging from “the best thing ever” to “the sky is falling”.
Saddened to see that some of your readers chose to make disparaging remarks about our President in response to your post. I was not a supporter of our prior President, but I would never have publicly called him an idiot. Politics has been terribly divisive here and throughout the world. It is shameful.
i agree with and love Heathers comment. maybe it is as JM says so eloquently, by default, but was a must for Macron to win. the alternative?
i wish the Americans had followed suit. The French showed great strength and courage.
Ditto K Watson and John…Racist America, too, buried Obama before he began as president…a brilliant man who could have done much more had it not been for obstructionist Republicans in congress…and while some didn’t like Hilary, (she has been slandered and maligned forever because she is a strong brilliant woman and Republicans don’t like and are afraid of strong brilliant women, she WON the popular vote by almost 3 million votes. FBI Director , Comy, while he felt he needed to make public information about Hilary did not feel he had to give the same negative and damaging info. about Trump ,knowing he was in bed with Russia.
Obama supported Macron as did many of us in the US and Canada. And now Putin has to find new strategy to get his empire.
Long live NATO,!
But you can afford an iPhone and service. Tired of Americans who
Are ashamed of their country.
Je vote pour plus d’essais par JM! N’oubliez pas le contenu, il était amusant de lire un texte entier en français
This NYTimes opinion piece reflects much the opinion but with perhaps a bit more optimism. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/opinion/france-still-waits-for-a-revolutions-outcome.html
I was very glad to hear that Macron had won and am optimistic about his Presidency. LePen would have been a dreadful choice.
I am Canadian and voted for Justin Trudeau in the last election.
Of course he’s not perfect but he is trying to be the Prime Minister of all Canadians. I trust him and I trust the people he has chosen to fill positions of responsibility within our government.
When I hear how things are going for the U.S. I feel badly and have trouble understanding why Trump got elected. He has no idea what he’s doing. In my opinion, Macron, Trudeau, and Angela Merkel are the only heads of state worthy of respect. Jean Marc, I am hoping that Macron will earn your confidence over the next five years.
Congratulations. I was holding my breath. ..but the French are smart and they cold see Trump acting out. It’s just great for France and the world.
I have voted in every national, state, and local election since I began voting at 18. In my entire decades long voting life, I’ve only voted FOR two candidates. All the rest was a vote against a candidate or the lesser of two evils. This last US presidential election shows what happens when political parties ignore the desires of the voters and try to manipulate the process.
Good morning (again from Canada)
I observed the French election with trepidation – although I agree with Jean-Marc (there is a swing to vote “against” what they want rather than “for” the best candidate) the general public does forget that the huge political machine, once engaged, is hard to stop! Vis a vis Mr. Trump being elected in the United States – a presidential term already defined by sheer lunacy and confusion and now our American cousins are scratching their heads to try and figure out what to do about him!
Perhaps Monsieur Macron’s win was a temporary breath of sanity for all of Europe, etc. and a chance for the general populace to become re-engaged with the knowledge that they MUST become more politically educated and involved in democracy at the very real risk of repeating the mistake of the USA.
A warning, perhaps?
I saw an analysis of the election last night on Charlie Rose (PBS commentator). He had several journalist/ French election watchers, three of whom were French). They said that one danger is inept comparisons to John F. Kennedy and the days of “Camelot” where people simply expected too much from their young and dynamic president. They said that if Macron does not “deliver” and if France is rocked by more significant acts of terrorism, Macron may be shown to be totally helpless and unprepared for the job (from his lack of experience), leaving a huge gap in the centrist position, and that people will really turn to extreme politicians to save France.
I was so relieved that Macron won, and hope that he and Angela Merkle can stand strong in Europe. Europe needs a stable France and Germany.
I did enjoy Jean-Marc’s analysis en francais and would like to see more, when he has time.
…. In life…. . many things are uncertain, like love , war and politics…….as opposed to three certain things, birth, death and taxes…. Judi
Excellent perspective and analysis. I worry about France. I thought the French would vote to protect their beautiful country, culture and people.
‘France has no culture’…Macron. That statement alone should
have eliminated this banker, Rothchild puppet… The next
few years will be telling, but unfortunate for France…
may well be…the real END to French Culture…AuRevoir….
In my French class yesterday our professor, who is french, explained exactly what you said. She said the people didn’t vote for Macron, but “contra” to Le Pen. Also I agree with you about the other candidate staying in when he should’ve bowed out. Much like Bernie Sanders who ran a fierce campaign which in the end divided the democrats and then we get “45” as people call him. With 11 candidates I fear that it split the vote in so many ways that the two remaining would in all likelihood not be necessarily the best candidates. I hope Macron does his job to everyone’s surprise, however from what I have seen, whoever gets the job will be raked over the coals and criticized no matter what they do.
Please do some ‘critical thinking’…some research
before you come to this conclusion.. Mr. T. may well
be our greatest president in a 100 years.. I am a high
school teacher, well read and researched. LePen could
have saved France..but now …who knows?
Macron will not have the ‘parties’ that
he needs to get anything done. Just another
Hollande. That is why I saw LePen dancing
on YouTube..she knows…
Thank you, Faye. My sentiments exactly.
Very well said. I doubt that France would really want to be in the state of affairs that we are here in the US at this point. Perhaps France saw what happened here and decided they were not going in that direction. Everyone said to wait and see. I waited those 100 days and am appalled at what has happened. Give him a chance and just perhaps most will like what they see. And to remember that you are never going to please everyone. I did like the speech he gave inviting American scientists to France to work. Certainly our current President does not feel there is much of place for them.
I am disheartened to hear Americans post unkind remarks about our current president. He has displayed in a very short time more concern, and more energy than we’ve seen in years. He loves our country, and why shouldn’t he? God bless America and the American people! God bless France! I am praying for Macron as well. These are difficult times, we need to support our leaders, not disparage them.
In addition, re: “Laisser les champs libre a quelqu’un”….why should France and (you) have allowed Kristi into France…is she not an immigrant? and U previously thought about Immigrating to America….Should U ever decide to do so, should we not accept U as U would be an immigrant? And what about helping the poor and the suffering? we really need to wake up and see ourselves before pointing fingers at others…we should see our own guilt before trying to find it in others…just saying….
You are so right! I hope for a fight against Socialism continuing…
Certainly not me, always a proud, patriotic AMERICAN!!! My late husband served his country and was awarded a Bronze Star as well as other classified awards!!
JM, I believe you have spoken truth in your analysis!
I agree with you, Jeanne!
Just like here in the US!
I couldn’t have said it better, Diane!
Very good insight on the world of politics! But at least you do not have a egotistical disaster like Trump in charge. I have never been so fearful/sad of what may happen any day since the Vietnam War. Plus living in California, Trump dislikes every thing about our state. Hopefully France will unite around your new president.
Thank you for all your comments after my “analysis”
I am obviously not a Macron big fan but between somebody you don’t support and the devil, I made my choice…
I wish Macron good luck and even success because I want the best for my country
Cheers to all!
Amen!
Merci, Jean-Marc, pour cette perspective. Cela me fait penser. 🙂
Best comment I’ve read so far, both of these presidents won legitimately and it’s in our best interest to move forward and support them and not tear them apart every day. I sincerely hope and pray that Trump and Macron will work together to combat terrorism in our countries.
Not a word from J-M about the abominable racism and xenophobic moment of LePen! Do you want to replicate the shameful denigration of humane values we see in the U.S. Where a mean spirited demagogue is fostering irrevocable divisions in our society. One cannot bracket out the corrupting ideas of LP under a rubric of financial benefit. The Macron win is a beacon to the world that FRANCE remains a nation of admired political principles. Yes M has a big job to do — and French citizens must help him build a just and inclusive democracy. I would rather not hear JM’s negativism. Frankly I find it very disappointing.
Thank you, Jean-Marc, for your analysis.
It is a privilege to hear from a French person living through this time in France.
We in the United States followed the French election with more interest than ever.
The comments here are understandably passionate: our country is in the throes of a humiliatingly vulgar and incompetent government.
I am resolved to fight Trump for everything I hold dear.
From inauguration day forward he has sought to destroy our lives, our earth, our international relations, our civil rights, our economy, our infrastructure, and our safety net–all for his greed and the greed of people like him.
He has brought a deplorable lack of dignity to the Oval Office.
He is a menace to Americans and the world.
I would support him, but patriotism involves more than following a racist, misogynist man who is unfit for office.
It involves thinking hard about who we are and what is best for our country to thrive.
Thanks for the explanation. It is hard to understand French politics, I guess it’s more of the usual.
Some of us were hoping France might be pointing the way toward a more centrist politics, but seems that is a premature conclusion.