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Sarkozy, rhubarb and France's National Front | Sarkozy, rhubarb and France's National Front |
(about 9 hours later) | |
In the olden days of Nicolas Sarkozy's French presidency, much fun was to be had irreverently pointing out his tics and verbal idiosyncracies. | In the olden days of Nicolas Sarkozy's French presidency, much fun was to be had irreverently pointing out his tics and verbal idiosyncracies. |
Now he is mere leader of the opposition, the chance comes less frequently - but Monday night offered up a humdinger. | Now he is mere leader of the opposition, the chance comes less frequently - but Monday night offered up a humdinger. |
In full flow with France Television's star interviewer David Pujadas, Sarko delivered this pearl: "Just because I get the salad, doesn't mean I pass the rhubarb." | In full flow with France Television's star interviewer David Pujadas, Sarko delivered this pearl: "Just because I get the salad, doesn't mean I pass the rhubarb." |
The context was the aftermath of the regional first-round elections on Sunday, which by giving the far right such a huge score poses the problem for the two main parties of how best to react. | The context was the aftermath of the regional first-round elections on Sunday, which by giving the far right such a huge score poses the problem for the two main parties of how best to react. |
Should Sarko's Republicans and President Francois Hollande's Socialists stand and fight in each of the 13 regions? | Should Sarko's Republicans and President Francois Hollande's Socialists stand and fight in each of the 13 regions? |
More from Hugh: Far right taps into voters' disquiet | More from Hugh: Far right taps into voters' disquiet |
French press sees parties in meltdown | French press sees parties in meltdown |
Marion Marechal-Le Pen and the far-right charm offensive | Marion Marechal-Le Pen and the far-right charm offensive |
The risk is that by doing so they would split the anti-FN vote, and thus increase the National Front's chances of victory. | The risk is that by doing so they would split the anti-FN vote, and thus increase the National Front's chances of victory. |
Or, should one of them withdraw in each region - thus allowing all anti-FNers to concentrate the vote? | Or, should one of them withdraw in each region - thus allowing all anti-FNers to concentrate the vote? |
This is what the Socialists have agreed to do in the two regions where the FN is best-placed (and they - the Socialists - came a rotten third). | This is what the Socialists have agreed to do in the two regions where the FN is best-placed (and they - the Socialists - came a rotten third). |
The withdrawal poses a serious challenge to Marine Le Pen's hopes of becoming regional president in the north, as well as to Marion Marechal-Le Pen in the south, because now Socialists can vote for the centre-right candidate. | The withdrawal poses a serious challenge to Marine Le Pen's hopes of becoming regional president in the north, as well as to Marion Marechal-Le Pen in the south, because now Socialists can vote for the centre-right candidate. |
But Mr Sarkozy is refusing to make any such arrangement. | But Mr Sarkozy is refusing to make any such arrangement. |
His argument is that by stitching up the regions with the Socialists (you stand here, we stand there), the two parties would be playing straight into the FN's hands. | His argument is that by stitching up the regions with the Socialists (you stand here, we stand there), the two parties would be playing straight into the FN's hands. |
They would be displaying exactly the kind of chumminess at the top that the far right constantly denounces. | They would be displaying exactly the kind of chumminess at the top that the far right constantly denounces. |
As Nicolas Sarkozy said, political parties cannot go round giving each other mutual favours. | As Nicolas Sarkozy said, political parties cannot go round giving each other mutual favours. |
Or put another way: "Just because I get the salad, doesn't mean I pass the rhubarb." | Or put another way: "Just because I get the salad, doesn't mean I pass the rhubarb." |
Except he got it wrong. | Except he got it wrong. |
The real French expression is: Pass me the rhubarb, and I'll pass you the senna. | The real French expression is: Pass me the rhubarb, and I'll pass you the senna. |
Why senna? Well like rhubarb, senna is a natural laxative. The proverb means, I'll do you a service, if you do a similar one back. In this case, by curing our common constipation. | |
Mr Sarkozy was confusing his salad with his senna pods. | Mr Sarkozy was confusing his salad with his senna pods. |
A sign of verbal diarrhoea? | A sign of verbal diarrhoea? |
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