We remember not so long ago, how the French took a heated interest in the outcomes of the American presidential election, indignant that in such an important matter no provision had been made for the French vote. Ah, and if only French opinion counted for something with Americans! But it doesn't.

Americans, like much of the world, are barely aware of France -- a squarish country to the east of Britain -- her political contests, and her stew of opinions.

FRENCH ELECTION GOING UNNOTICED ELSEWHERE

PARIS February 26, 2007 (Gulf Times) - A majority of people in other Western countries are unfamiliar with the leading candidates for the French presidency, according to a survey published on Friday in the International Herald Tribune.

The survey, which was carried out online in six countries by Harris Interactive, found that a whopping 88% of Americans had never heard of Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, Socialist Party candidate Segolene Royal, centrist Francois Bayrou or right-wing extremist Jean-Marie Le Pen, the four leading candidates for this year’s presidential election in France.

The numbers were only slightly better in Britain, where 76% of respondents ticked off the response “I don’t know any of these candidates”, though the country is just across the Channel from France.

In Germany, 62% said that they were not familiar with any of the four presidential candidates, while the figure was 47% in Spain and 43% for Italy.

This is a bit astonishing. Britons ignore France out of self-preservation. But Germany!

The German-French shared destiny must be a driving force at the service of Europe.

Jack,
president of France, slicing it thick for the
40th anniversary of the 1963 Élysée Treaty
January 22, 2003 (BBC)

Where's all that yester love?

For those who did hear of the candidates, Royal was chosen as the presidential candidate “who would best represent France around the world” in every country except France, with 30% of Italian respondents choosing her against only 7% for Sarkozy.

However, in France, where it counts, respondents preferred the interior minister by 36% to 21% over Royal.

Nations that take an interest in a neighbor's elections do so in their own interests, not the interests of the neighbor's electorate. That Mlle. Royal rates high in the geopolitical periphery is because she is seen as more playable, more easily out-gamed than her opposition.

But Mlle. Royal aside, the above poll suggests there is not much Euro-interest in French outcomes.

PFFT (What is this?): Huh? 4 | Rayonnement français 0

I sure hope Royal can pull it up. Then when she actually implements her disasterous economic ideas and has to backpedal, like FM did in the early 80s, the leftists will just have to grin and bear it. If Sarkozy wins, he will get bogged down by the moronic whining of the left before he gets a chance to put any of his good ideas into place.