France in 'themeless' election campaign
Published: April 11, 2007 at 9:51 AM
PARIS, April 11 (UPI) -- A political scientist in Paris said a lack of a defining issue is behind four French presidential candidates making bizarre and erroneous remarks.
With the first round of the elections 12 days away, a New York Times correspondent noted how conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy claimed pedophilia is a genetic flaw. Ultra-rightist candidate Jean-Marie le Pen said at a conference instead of giving teenagers free condoms, they should masturbate. And socialist candidate Segolene Royal was unaware the Taliban hasn't been in power in Afghanistan since 2001.
The unprepared and off-the-cuff remarks are based on what political scientist Jacques Gerstle told the Times was "the absence of a dominant theme." He said in the 2002 campaign, candidates focused on security and unemployment but this time no such prominent issues are up for debate.
Another reason the candidates are straying from mainstream topics is a bid to win over large numbers of undecided voters, the report said.
A poll published Sunday in Le Parisien found a record 42 percent of voters are undecided or likely to change their minds and the number soars to 56 percent among voters under the age of 30.
With the first round of the elections 12 days away, a New York Times correspondent noted how conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy claimed pedophilia is a genetic flaw. Ultra-rightist candidate Jean-Marie le Pen said at a conference instead of giving teenagers free condoms, they should masturbate. And socialist candidate Segolene Royal was unaware the Taliban hasn't been in power in Afghanistan since 2001.
The unprepared and off-the-cuff remarks are based on what political scientist Jacques Gerstle told the Times was "the absence of a dominant theme." He said in the 2002 campaign, candidates focused on security and unemployment but this time no such prominent issues are up for debate.
Another reason the candidates are straying from mainstream topics is a bid to win over large numbers of undecided voters, the report said.
A poll published Sunday in Le Parisien found a record 42 percent of voters are undecided or likely to change their minds and the number soars to 56 percent among voters under the age of 30.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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