French experts have their say

Pierre Drai is a researcher at the Transatlantic Studies Center  
Charlotte Lepri is a researchers at the International and Strategic Relations Institute

What strikes you most so far in the campaign?

Drai: These elections are polarized, even though the candidates are all more or less centrist. Also, contrary to 2004, the political space is not entirely taken by the war anymore – the campaigns can focus on other topics.

Lepri: The candidate’s personalities count more than ideas. Charisma and eloquence seem more important than political programs. Perhaps it is because the programs – at least among the Democratic candidates – are very similar.         

Are the French more interested in these elections than four years ago? Why?  

Drai: American elections are always very interesting for the French. France is aware of the importance of the United States in the world. But this campaign is built to please: the candidates are all serious contenders even if they are political neophytes. Finally, the spectacular qualities of American elections make them very interesting to observe.

Lepri: There is real passion for these elections for two reasons: first, everybody wants to end Bush’s era in order to restore the French-American relationship. Second, the Democratic candidates are really exciting: a woman vs. a black man. It is amazing!

How do French follow these elections?  

Drai: The US primary process is complicated for the French. It differs a lot from ours. So it is not surprising that the French question the real influence of lobbies in American politics.

Lepri: There is a strong involvement of French people in these elections. It's as if they were going to vote!

What do you French media coverage of the campaign? Is there bias?  

Drai: The French media tends to observe closely what is going on in America politics but then analyze it through a French point of view. This can lead to confusion. American political life is not a left/right opposition in the French sense of these terms. The Democrats are often economically more to the right than the French right, but their social values are progressive. Another source of confusion: The Americans essentially have a two-party system, so you have to look carefully as political currents within each party. In France, these current would be separate parties.

Lepri: I think the French media share the same drawbacks as the American media – they are both more focused on personalities than genuine political issues.

Can one say that most French are pro-Democrats or pro-Republicans?

Drai: No. Economically speaking, many French are closer to the American extreme left, that is to say in favour of active, interventionist government. But socially speaking, they would be on the liberal side of the Democratic Party (pro-choice, in favour of gun control), and at the same time in the liberal side of the Republican Party.

Lepri: I think we can say that French are pro-Democrat. It can be explained by the fact that the United States is more on the right side on the political chessboard, including the Democratic Party.

What is at stake for the Franco-American relationship?

Drai: I think there is not a big difference between the three candidates! French-American relationship is less a question of personality than political imperatives on the international stage.

Lepri: In any case, US interests will still prevail. But Barack Obama seems to be most open-minded of the three, and he might insist more on dialogue between different cultures.

And on the international level?

Drai: The new team won’t be as aggressive as the Bush administration. They will probably show more tact. The new administration will likely try to reinforce alliances and to find a consensual leading role.

Lepri: Bush’s image is awful around the world. The next president will need to repair the United States’ image quickly.

The Democratic primary had come down to a black man running against a woman. Can one imagine that situation in France nowadays?

Drai: I think that the candidacy of Ségolène Royal showed that a woman could be elected in France. For a black candidate, we can see some black deputies and ministers. So, I don’t think that the US elections are unique. However, I think both Democrats candidates don’t use their gender or their ethnic origin as an argument to be elected.

Lepri: In France, ethnic minorities are not well represented. The only exception is jobs where you are not elected but appointed. The Sarkozy administration appointed Rachida Dati (justice minister) and Rama Yade (State Secretary in charge of foreign affairs and human rights). We have to wait before saying that United States are more open minded than France. Neither Obama nor Clinton has been elected yet.