h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

continued from yesterday's journal : F8387085?thread=8305989

So, in 2002, the first round of the election took place on 21st April.
And that night when the results were announced, it was like a shockwave over the whole country.
We wouldn't have a duel between the leaders of the two major parties.
The Socialist candidate had been beaten.

On the second round of the 2002 French presidential election, Chirac (the then President, moderate right-wing) would be facing Le Pen (the leader of the far-right Front National party).

I remember the Socialist officials crying on TV.
I remember Jospin announcing his political retirement, after such a fiasco.
I remember crying on the phone with a friend, partly disappointed, partly angry, and partly anxious.
I remember being scared of the future, for the first time in my life.

Then in the following fortnight, I remember demonstrating, for the first time in my life.
Taking part in sit-ins, and handing out pamphlets about human rights and about fascism.
I remember a friend's sister (of Italian origin) being told by one of her co-workers "you'll be one of the first to be kicked out when we win".

And after those two weeks, I remember voting for a right-wing candidate, for the first time in my life.

Chirac won the election.
It wasn't what I had hoped for, but it was better than the alternative.



I also remember discovering a book at that time.
A tiny little book that was pretty widely (wildly?) circulated during those two weeks.

But that's what tomorrow's posting will be about...

[Amy P]

Deb

Part three is now available!
F8387085?thread=8306059