France’s overseas territories kick off key presidential vote
Opinion polls showed a tight race among the four top contenders vying to get the May presidential 7 runoff that will decide who becomes the next head of state. But the polls also showed that the future of
A deadly attack on police on
Political campaigning is banned beginning Saturday across
Polling centers opened in the
Polls suggested that far-right nationalist
However, conservative
The mad-dash campaigning of the last few weeks came to an abrupt halt hours after the Champs-Elysees gun attack by 39-year-old Karim Cheurfi. Three suspects close to the attacker remain in custody,
Le Pen and Fillon canceled their last campaign events Friday over security concerns. Macron did too, but also accused his rivals of trying to capitalize on the attack with their anti-immigration, tough-on-security messages.
In a sign of how tense the country is, a man holding a knife caused widespread panic Saturday at
Flowers, candles and messages of solidarity with police adorned a makeshift memorial on the Champs-Elysees for the slain police officer, Xavier Jugele. Small groups of well-wishers paid their respects Saturday at the site of the shooting.
Some believed French stoicism would prevent a lurch to the right in the vote, despite the fact the attack dominated French newspaper and TV headlines.
"These 48 hours are not going to change everything ... terrorism is now an everyday occurrence. It's permanent, 24 hours a day. So we're not afraid. If we're believers in freedom, we must live with it," said
"I'm not going to let myself be influenced by people who are trying to frighten us,"
Others, fearful that the far-right Le Pen has been strengthened by the instability, said they would shift their votes from fringe candidates to make sure to keep the far-right out of power.
"With an attack such as this one, I think the
When the French vote for president Sunday, their choice will resonate far beyond
The election is also widely being viewed as a ballot on the future of the
A French exit could ignite a death spiral for the EU, the euro and the whole idea of European unity that was borne out of the bloodshed of World War II.
Financial markets are already jittery over a possible Frexit, fearing capital flight, defaults or lawsuits on bonds and contracts. Le Pen's team is downplaying possible apocalyptic scenarios and arguing that the euro — now used by 19 nations — is headed for a breakup eventually anyway.
If Le Pen or Melenchon win a spot in the runoff, it will be seen as a victory for the populist wave reflected by the votes for
Alternatively, if neither candidate makes it past Sunday's first round into the
Macron and Fillon, meanwhile, are committed to European unity and would reform labor rules. Macron, a former economy minister, has framed himself as a bulwark against Trump's protectionism.
Le Pen and Melenchon blame free trade pacts for killing French jobs and want to renegotiate them.
Kansas Medicaid expansion in doubt despite hospital’s woes
Trump Health Dept. dismisses Obama appointed surgeon general
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News