CERC Public Seminar: 'Sego or Sarko? 2007 French Presidential Elections'

Tuesday 13 March, 6:00-7:00pm
at Level 2 Lecture Theatre, 234 Queensberry Street, The University of Melbourne

presented by

Dr Michael Bruter

(Lecturer, Dept of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science)

Co-hosted with the French Trust Fund and the School of Languages and Linguistics

download audio mp3 (approx 15MB)

Abstract

On 22 April and 7 May of this year, France will elect her new President. The forthcoming election is probably the most exciting of the year in Europe. Will France elect her first openly 'pro-capitalism' President in decades or her first female President? Will the extreme right manage to reiterate its incredible coup of 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen reached the second ballot against all expectations? Or instead, will the new deal come from a Centrist party, which candidate is now expected by some polls to be in a position to beat either of the two front-runners if he reaches the second ballot? We will look at the panorama of the election, the main contenders and stakes, the main issues of the campaign, and the likely impact of the election for France, Europe, and the world.

Biography

Dr Michael Bruter is a lecturer in Political Science and European Politics in the Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science. His teaching specializes in Politics and Policy in Europe, Politics of European integration, Elections, Public Opinion and Identities in Europe. He is a member of the editorial board, Social Science Quarterly (USA) and a past Editor of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for European Union Studies Research Papers Series. His recent publications include: Citizens of Europe? The emergence of a mass European identity (2005) and "On what citizens mean by feeling 'European'." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (2004)