Will Nupes change French politics?
This is the new electoral alliance that is about to stand in the French Presidential elections. Despite massive media attacks, it's polling very well and might succeed in gaining a majority.
41-45, M
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow I think that the left block will emerge (narrowly) as the second-biggest party and form a large opposition block. Whether they stop Macron from having a majority is key. Macron's party rarely rebels so if NUPES was big enough to stop legislation, it basically crushes Macron's free-market reforms.
PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M
@Burnley123 On the surface I agree. But leftists had huge hopes for Greece a few years back, but as soon as it came time to follow through it all folded like a cheap suit.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow It was a VERY different situation. Greece never had any power.
It would be interesting if the French left could fully take power. I mean as to whether a reformist left agenda can work in a major country.
It would be interesting if the French left could fully take power. I mean as to whether a reformist left agenda can work in a major country.
PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M
@Burnley123 I agree the situation is different. But the lack of follow through still applies.
As for Greece having no power if you believe that than things are even worse in Europe and some of the conspiracy theorists are right if the EU is basically a fig leaf for German banking interests.
What Greece owed was unsecured debt to private banks. What was very unorthodox (and arguably not legal) was the EU using government clout to collect private debt.
Greece was certainly within it's right to tell Deutchebank to pound sand and they had the backing of the people to do it. If Greece had no power that would suggest the elected government of member states are functionally irrelevant when it comes to the desires of capital. Even I am not quite at that point yet.
But it is interesting to see what happens with France. If they have the support of the unions they could be a force to be reckoned with.
As for Greece having no power if you believe that than things are even worse in Europe and some of the conspiracy theorists are right if the EU is basically a fig leaf for German banking interests.
What Greece owed was unsecured debt to private banks. What was very unorthodox (and arguably not legal) was the EU using government clout to collect private debt.
Greece was certainly within it's right to tell Deutchebank to pound sand and they had the backing of the people to do it. If Greece had no power that would suggest the elected government of member states are functionally irrelevant when it comes to the desires of capital. Even I am not quite at that point yet.
But it is interesting to see what happens with France. If they have the support of the unions they could be a force to be reckoned with.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow I'm a Varoufakis fan so I'm very familiar. You are basically right about Greek debt but wrong about their power to resist. The Troika staved Greece of capital to force Syriza to capitulate to the repayment agreement. Vafoufakis says that Syriza should have fought harder. The Greek communists think they should have gone for Grexit. All options were awful though.
In this case, it is pretty true. Greece has even been called a 'debt colony. Governments have no power because of the debts and the huge leverage (in both senses) on the country.
France is the Eurozone's second most powerful nation. It would be interesting to see if a left govt there could gain more concessions.
If Greece had no power that would suggest the elected government of member states are functionally irrelevant when it comes to the desires of capital.
In this case, it is pretty true. Greece has even been called a 'debt colony. Governments have no power because of the debts and the huge leverage (in both senses) on the country.
France is the Eurozone's second most powerful nation. It would be interesting to see if a left govt there could gain more concessions.
PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M
@Burnley123 I am a fan of Varoufakis myself and I personally think he was right. There were no good options but I believe capitulating to being a debt colony was the worst option out of bad ones.
And I agree about France and as much as people like to dance around it these days I am sure France having the largest army in Europe helps.
And I agree about France and as much as people like to dance around it these days I am sure France having the largest army in Europe helps.