2022 French Presidential Election

[Rodja]

1.Benoit Hamon holds his kick-off event focusing on his ideas for healthcare and education reforms.

2.Benoit Hamon tours Muslim neighborhoods in Paris talking with voters about their concerns and problems.

3.Benoit Hamon holds rally in Bretagne,blasting Macron and Le Pen as choice between "elitism and fascism"

[Rezi]

Event 1: Jean-Luc Melénchon kicks off his campaign in the city of Toulouse, capital of the Occitanie region, which was his best in 2017. He attacks Macron for his Pro-European Union and pro-NATO views, calling for France's withdrawal from both organizations, which have been corrupted by the influence of Neoliberals like Macron and Merkel, speaking of his time in the European Parliament, and how he viewed the organization's failures first hand. He also calls Macron a "bootlicker who bowed to the wants of Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy rather than stand with the people of Catalonia"

Event 2: Melénchon will campaign in the city of Paris, touring many of the City's colleges and universities, telling the students that it's necessary to massively increase the marginal tax rate for the upper class of France, who have spent their time exploiting the students. He shows the students graphs which show how they'll be exploited once they enter the workforces, and makes sure they know that their future employers aren't their friends.

Event 3: Melénchon brings out an old trick from his 2017 Presidential Campaign. He uses hologram technology to hold the same rally simultaneously in 5 different cities: Marseille, Paris, Lyon, Nice, and Bourdeaux 

Here, at this rally he speaks of himself as a man of the people, someone who came from humble beginnings and worked his was up in life, rather than being Macron, son of a professor who spent most of his childhood at fancy private schools, or Le Pen, the daughter of a politician.

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Rezi

[ConservativeElector2]

1: Xavier Bertrand kicks off his campaign in Lille in his home region of Hauts-de-France. He tells the crowd, that many have called for him to run and that he had listened to their calls. Bertrand believes in a better France and will do everything to achieve this for the people.

2: Xavier Bertrand holds a rally in the west of Paris. He attacks Macron for his failed policies over the last years and offers a path focusing on French needs instead of appeasing foreign leaders in luxury hotels who see themselves as superior to the French.

3: Xavier Bertrand travels to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and talks with fishermen and local people near Bordeaux about their problems and concerns.

[Edouard]

1st : Speech to the nation of Emmanuel Macron

Françaises, Français

Je le sais, ces derniers mois ont été difficiles. Pour nombre d'entre vous. Nous avons traversés une grave crise sanitaire, qui a laissé ses blessures et ôté la vie à cent milles d'entre nous.

J'ai une pensée pour nos soignants, qui ont réalisé un travail spectaculaire, nous les avons aidés à cette fin. Pendant des mois notre pays a fait face à la pire crise sanitaire ayant frappé le monde depuis la grippe espagnole, mais nous avons surmonté cette étape.

Ensemble, nous avons posé les bases d'un avenir meilleur.

La croissance économique va de nouveau être d'actualité cette année, une croissance qui réduisait le chomage depuis mon entrée en fonction et ce jusqu'au moment où le coronavirus a frappé notre pays et le monde.

Si je vous parle ce soir, mes chers compatriotes, c'est pour vous annoncer que je serai candidat à l'élection présidentielle. Je souhaite que nous reprenions ensemble le chemin de la prospérité économique, sans mettre de côté les besoins sanitaires et sociaux dont notre population a tant besoin. La crise des gilets jaunes, et la crise sanitaire nous ont rappelé que la reprise économique ne va pas sans la solidarité et la fraternité.

Je suis impatient de vous retrouver demain sur les marchés, les gares et les places.

Vive la République, et vive la France.

TRANSLATION

My fellow citizens

I know these last few months have been difficult. For many of you. We went through a serious health crisis, which left wounds and claimed the lives of a hundred thousand of us.

I have a thought for our caregivers, who have done a spectacular job, we have helped them to this end. For months our country faced the worst health crisis to hit the world since the Spanish flu, but we got over it.

Together, we have laid the foundations for a better future.

Economic growth will be on the agenda again this year, growth that reduced unemployment since I took office until the coronavirus hit our country and the world.

If I am speaking to you this evening, my dear compatriots, it is to tell you that I will be a candidate for the presidential election. I want us to resume together the path of economic prosperity, without putting aside the health and social needs that our population so badly needs. The yellow vests crisis and the health crisis reminded us that economic recovery does not go without solidarity and fraternity.

I look forward to meeting you tomorrow in the markets, stations and squares.

Long live the Republic, and long live France.

 

2nd event : Macron goes to Grand-Est to do a meeting about the European Union the them is : You want protectionnism? Choose the EU

The European Union equalizes in GDP both the US and China !

Together we can still prevail in a commercial war, alone we are submitted to the wills of new rising powers

It's in the Union that we could remain a major economic and political force in the years to come !

So if you truly want protectionnism for our industry, for our workers, it is by the European union that we will be able to matter !

 

3rd event : In order to take back electors from the Right-wing or to prevent others from rivalries, Macron assumes that he will commemorate the 200 years of the death of french Emperor Napoléon the 1st and comes back to Provences Alpes Cotes d'Azur to pay tribute to the town of Nice, 5 years after the terrorist attacks in which the military plays the Marengo march

 

 

[Pringles]

Event 1: 

Marine Le Pen kicks off the campaign at a rally in Saint Quentin. (Hauts-De-France)

The rally would be packed with thousands of supporters. Many waving the French Flag and saluting as the French Anthem would play before Le Pen would give her speech. Le Pen would soak in the moment, feeling a profound sense of nervousness. The past 4 years she has worked hard to rebrand herself, and her party. She would read into historical figures who rose from tremendous losses. Especially American politicians. Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, all failed 3 times before going on to win their presidency. Le Pen seeks to follow in their footsteps. And knows this will be her final chance.  

She would begin. 

"My fellow Frenchmen, and women! We are back, and I promise you, this time, WE'RE GOING TO WIN!"

"After four years of complete, utter, FAILURE of President Macron, the forgotten citizens of this great country are ready to have their voices heard! After bending our backs over to the globalists, the French people are ready to take our country back, and stand up for this great nation! All of you here today, the REAL people of this nation will send a message to the establishment, the globalists, and the media."

Le Pen points to the back.

"All of the fake news over there! Accusing us of fascism, and calling me a dictator! Is loving our country fascism? Is standing up for FRENCH interests authoritarian? It's nonsense people. They're resorting to the only arguments they have left to defend this despicable man who occupies the Élysée Palace!"

"Since 2018 we've seen riots around the nation, we've seen gas prices increase! We've seen our autonomy plummet. We've had Angela Merkel telling the President how to run the country! It's time to have a President who will listen to THEMSELVES! Not run by the globalists, and EU leaders."

"The fact is, we're going to make France great again!"

People would begin passing out hats to the supporters.

"This time, vote like your life depended on it! Because another term of Macron will see our sovereignty cease to exist! We do not want to leave the EU! We want to stand up for French interests in the EU! We want a strong EU! Unlike Macron, who wants a WEAK EU!"

"Before we go, a very good friend of mine wanted to surprise all of you tonight, on this very special moment. He will be joining us from time to time at our rallies, and I hope you all admire him as much as I do, please, welcome, Former US President DONALD JOHN TRUMP!"

Donald Trump would enter the stage with a "Make France Great Again" hat. TV screens around the rally would begin translating what the Former President says.

"France, France! Beautiful France! Beautiful people! I hope you're all doing well tonight. I come here to say a few words about your tremendous, future President, Marine Le Pen. She's a fighter! She stands up for you country's interests, and she will send the globalists, fake news media, and Angela Merkel... a CLEAR message that French people want to take their country back. Our movement is far from over in America, and it's time to see it spread to France! After years of ineptitude, you need STRONG leadership! Marine Le Pen is that leadership France needs. Not the weakness of Emmanuel Macron. A total LOSER of a President. He doesn't know what the hell he's doing! He's corrupt! Weak! And Angela Merkel is his best friend."

"TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK! Good night, and I hope to see all of you again soon!"

 

The rally would end. The campaigning would begin. 

Event 2: Marine Le Pen holds a rally in rural areas of Normandie. Hammering Macron as an inept President and an EU sellout. She promotes a strong EU, with greater enforcement of immigration laws. She urges voters to "take their country back." 

Event 3: Le Pen goes to Grand Est. Meeting with industrial workers, and promising "France First" policies that will benefit them. She says she will stand up for French interests in the EU and ensure French workers are always put first. She hammers Macron as sacrificing the French people for globalist interests. She says, "Macron can't think for himself! He has no independent mind. He listens to the mind of Angela Merkel, and der Leyen!"

 

[The Blood]

1. Jadot will kick off his campaign, focusing on college towns and various cities where he believes he can draw out the left-wing vote. He will launch his campaign with an aggressive tour of Lyon.

 

2. Greens will launch a canvassing tour across the city of Strasbourg, focusing on their pledge to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% within Jadot's first term in office. 

 

3. The Greens will launch a mailer campaign in Roen, calling for "environmental justice" funded by raises to income taxes on the wealthy.

[Cal]

Jean Christophe Announces Campaign for President

Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte pictured at his marriage to Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg in a lavish ceremony in Paris, France

The 2022 French Presidential Race has one final, and very unexpected candidate to add to the mix. Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte announced that he would be a candidate for the presidential election. Prince Napoleon Bonaparte has spent considerable amounts of time overseas, working in both New York City and London for stints of time as well as within the city of London and Ajaccio that his father stood election for decades ago. 

The young Napoleon announced his campaign in Paris, calling for "A return to the conservatism that defined the Republic for generations"

Jean-Christophe hopes to utilize his extensive business credentials to become a potential champion of the moderate right, a demographic in need of a new home following the disastrous performance of François Fillon in 2017. he has promised a “radical shock” for France – tax cuts, public spending cuts, slashing public sector jobs and breaking trade union power.

Napoleon’s platform, and his new Bonapartist Party, is founded on his conviction France is a great power, a nation that “deserves better” and whose perceived decline “revolts” him, as he writes in his campaign literature. His campaign’s tenets are founded, he says, on the four years he has spent observing not only the politics of France, but the continued decline of great powers such as the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Napoleon’s candidacy comes as the French electorate, concerned about terrorism, the migrant crisis, the integration of Islam, sluggish economic performance, high youth unemployment and a general malaise against what many see as President Macron’s ineffective administration, appears ever more demanding for change and a departure from business as usual in Parisian politics.

 

Event 2: Napoleon will crisscross Paris, telling his story of being the heir to the legacy of Napoleon and seeing the nation in a state of decline. From there, he felt obligated to run for office, almost unheard of for someone within his dynasty, and to serve the country that he loves. 

Event 3: Napoleon will spend more time in Paris, hitting Macron hard on the poor recovery of France from the COVID-19 pandemic two years prior. Napoleon claims that had Macron better handled the situation, businesses could have reopened much sooner. 

[Hestia]

French Event Roundup - Top Tier Candidates

What a week in French politics! After a rocky campaign start by several of the top contenders, Marine Le Pen still stands at the top of the polls. She suffered a daunting week herself after being widely ridiculed for a visit by the former President of the United States. Several of her opponents leapt against her for those comments, but she managed to bind the wound with vicious attacks against Macron later that day in Grand Est, where several supporters joined in cheering for her attacks of Macron's globalist tendencies. It is clear while Le Pen has struggled this week, she still remains on top.

Rolls: 1,4,7

Polling Right now: 22.4% (-0.7% from last week)

Emmanuel Macron perhaps suffered the worst week of any competitor in the race for President. He was severely hampered by two separate instances, the first in the speech he gave, where many French tuned out after listening to the first bit of it. They felt like the President was simply pandering for votes and wouldn't actually make good on his promises, citing the circumstances in the last few years. Then, separately, at an event later in the week where he openly pandered to right-wing voters by talking about the Napoleon family. Some even believe that is what pushed the minor candidate - Jean Christophe Napoleon, into the race itself! 

Rolls: 1,4,1

Current Polling: 20.8% (-1.3% from last week)

Taking a little break before posting the next few middle tiers.  @Edouard @Pringles

[Hestia]

French Event Round-up: Mid-Tier Candidates

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy had a mild start to the campaign, which was more or less what the former President needed. Two rather obscure events happened in Grand Est and Occitanie, but neither truly hurt the President other than a slight dip in the ratings in Occitanie. A good turn of events in Paris helped buffer the week for the embattled President, and led the Republicans to within striking distance of incumbent President Macron. They still trail him by a decent margin, but it definitely lifted hopes in the center-right camp of being able to take on Le Pen in a 1v1 rightist matchup.

Rolls: 5,4,7

Current Polling: 15.1% (up +0.2% from last week)

Premiere leftist candidate Jean Luc Melenchon was left hobbling after a poor turn of whiplash for the firebrand. Center-left voters balk after Melenchon calls President Macron a bootlicker, while they largely support staying out of the conflict between the Catalonians and the Spanish. However, the week seemed to get better after an electric campaigning cycle in Paris. The students seemed to be on the edge of their seats listening to the presidential candidate. The holograms, however, broke the campaign week in a negative way for Melenchon, with many beginning to get bored of the idea of campaigning by hologram.

Rolls: 1,10,2

Current Polls: 9.6% (-0.6%)

 

Yannick Jadot and the Greens have clearly planted their flag in leftist turf, sending a poignant signal to Melenchon and his leftists. The week began with an exciting tour of Lyon, with many voters coming out to see the newcomer, even if they weren't sure if they were going to vote for him, many came out feeling as though they would. However, Jadot nearly went the way of Melenchon with a stumble in Strasbourg, with voters needling him on climate issues and how it could hurt jobs up in the North and East of France. Luckily, events later in the week went even better, with the visit to Roen playing off well with fellow voters. The Greens appear to be Melenchon's biggest rivals on the left for now.

Rolls: 10,2,7

Current Polling: 8.4% (+0.6% from last week) 

Next is the lower tier candidates! @WVProgressive @Rezi @The Blood

[Hestia]

France 2022 - Lower Tier Candidate Update

Making the race interesting? Two lower polling candidates having fantastic weeks. First up: Xavier Bertrand, the independent center-right candidate, who seems to be trying to nearly go the way of Macron in 2017. The week began with a heart-warming beginning to the campaign cycle in his home town of Lille, where many voters were nearly begging Bertrand to run. Many Republicans are seeing the election of Sarkozy as their candidate counter to their beliefs, and put their hopes in Bertrand. Next up came a rally in Paris, where he hit all the right chords and had even some left leaning individuals nodding in support. Lastly, a Nouvelle-Aquitaine event went off with little fanfare, but little to hurt him either.

Rolls: 10,7,5

Current Polling: 7.3% (+0.8% from last week)

The other minor candidate making waves? Socialist Benoit Hamon. Hamon's kickoff event goes fantastically for the Socialist campaign, and begins to heal ties between Hamon and the institution of the party, who was still bitter after Hamon briefly left the party to found a new one a few years prior. Many were endeared when Hamon visited Muslim neighborhoods in Paris, with some Parisian newspapers titling him the 'Anti-Le Pen'. He stumbled in Brittany, however, as he labeled Macron a near-fascist in his help of elitism. The stumble opens a gash, but not a totally harmful one yet.

Rolls: 10,9,3

Current Polling: 6.4% (+0.8% from last week)

Yellow Jacket leader Jean Marie Bigard struggled in his begin on the campaign stump. Nothing went horribly off the rails as with other candidates, but he suffered some growing pains that come with new parties. The first two events of the week centered on Yellow Jacket protests back in 2018, and many voters are beginning to feel as though that is some kind of distant history and Bigard no longer has appeal to 2022 France. The third event goes better, with some laughing and chuckling about Bigard's jokes about Macron and his wife.

Rolls: 3,3,7

Current Polling: 4.3% (-0.7% from last week)

The most minor of candidates and one of the most surprising, is Jean Christophe Napoleon, the heir to the French throne (according to those who support him). His Paris launch goes off somewhat well, but some are still surprised by his entry into the race at all, with some thinking he should throw support behind Bertrand and try to gain some leverage there. The next event goes better, with some warmed by his more humanity than others in the race. The stumble appears later in the week, when he attacks Macron for his handling of COVID. While it is a liability for the President, a wealthy London socialite doesn't appear to resonate with the voters of France on this issue.

Rolls: 6,7,2

Current Polling: 1.00% (new candidate)

Next is the official write up @ConservativeElector2 @Rodja @Beetlejuice @Cal

[Hestia]

2022 French Presidential Election Polling Roundup!

After an exciting campaign week detailed by the writeups above, the narrative is set: the race is Marine Le Pen's to lose. While she suffered stumbles of her own, she remains roughly 7-8% ahead of the percent she needs to make it into the second round. The left continues to have growing pains, after Melenchon's poor week and the successful events of Jadot and Hamon, there is no clear left-leaning candidate to back. Together, they cobble about 23-25% of the country behind them. If one begins to outpace the others, it's possible they could challenge for third, or even second depending on the right week. However, Sarkozy and Bertrand, the leading center-right candidates, have begun to consolidate their own followings, and could be hard to leap even if Macron continues to fall.

FRENCH POLLING 

Marine Le Pen - 22.4% (-0.7%) @Pringles

Emmanuel Macron - 20.8% (-1.3%) @Edouard

Nicolas Sarkozy - 15.1% (+0.2%) @WVProgressive

Jean Luc Melenchon - 9.6% (-0.6%) @Rezi

Yannick Jadot - 8.4% (+0.6%) @The Blood

Xavier Bertrand - 7.3% (+0.8%) @ConservativeElector2

Benoit Hamon - 6.4% (+0.8%) @Rodja

Jean Marie Bigard - 4.3% (-0.7%) @Beetlejuice

Jean Christophe Napoleon - 1.0% (new) @Cal

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: AUVERGNE RHONE-ALPES

Polling in Auvergne Rhone-Alpes

Emmanuel Macron: 21.5%

Marine Le Pen: 20.5%

Nicolas Sarkozy: 15%

Yannick Jadot: 10.5%

Jean Luc-Melenchon: 9.25%

Xavier Bertrand: 7.5%

Benoit Hamon: 6.5%

Jean Marie Bigard: 3.5%

Jean Christophe Napoleon: 1%

Here begins Turn #2! I hope you all had fun and keep it up 😄

[Rezi]

Event 1: In an effort to paint himself as the true man of the people, Melénchon calls Le Pen,  "The phony Le Pen, who is a globalist in sheep's clothing" Alongside this, the Melénchon campaign releases a picture that's posted all over social media and put up all over cities in the form of a flyer, featuring Melénchon beating up a punching bag that looks like Le Pen.

Event 2: Melénchon returns to Paris, where he will hold a huge rally, attacking the large corporations that have set up shop in the city and routinely exploit their workers.

 

Event 3: Melénchon releases an ad all throughout France in which he attacks Sarkozy for trying to return to the Presidency after his first 5 years of failure.

[WVProgressive]

Sarkozy will dedicate a substantial amount of the weekly campaign budget to eviscerating the so called 'candidacy' of Xavier Bertrand, throwing out any attack they can muster, but focusing on the possibilities that a split center right vote will lead to a 2017 redux  in the 2nd round.

Sarkozy will attack both Melechon, and Le Pen as "Populist Bastard" who "Don't know the first thing about uniting, and ruling a nation." at a rally in Normandie 

Sarkozy then attacks the late entry by the Bonaparte candidate, while campaigning in Brest, saying "It's a hard time to be a Republican Conservative" continuing to say "We have Socialists, Populists, Corporatists, and now even Monarchists trying to pull France into darkness" 

[Pringles]

Event 1: In response to Melenchon's dirty campaigning, Le Pen will hat back calling Melenchon a "Sexist, socialist pig." She has her most ardent supporters wearing "MFGA Hats" pack the streets of Paris (Ile-De-France) handing out flyers of their own. Showing Melenchon getting his ass handed to him by a strong woman. Donald Trump would lend one of his favorite photos of him pounding Vince McMahon, and have his people photoshop Le Pen and Melenchon on it. 

Event 2: Le Pen gives a speech in Arras (Hauts-De-France) hammering The Republicans and the unpopular Former President, Sarkozy. Calling him a grandstander to the "France First" movement. Le Pen calls on all candidates who claim they are Pro-France, Anti-Globalism, and Anti-Macron to make the "France First" pledge. @WVProgressive @ConservativeElector2 @Rezi

The France First pledge includes various Pro-worker policies that Le Pen has pledged to enact, along with tighter immigration laws, the creation of a media council to regulate the "Fake News" and numerous populist policies. 

The "France First" pledges also includes; "Any 'France First' candidate who advances to the second round must be endorsed by signers of the pledge. 

Le Pen says, "Any coward that refuses to sign this pledge is simply a grandstander to the French First movement. With no real intention of helping the French people. I am a woman of my word. If I am not to be in the second round, I will endorse those who sign this pledge. If none of them sign it though, I think the message is clear, they're crooks, and they're cronies to our movement!" 

Event 3: Le Pen holds a "Make France Great Again Rally" in Lyon, France. (Auvergne-Rhone Alps). She invites Donald Trump to join her as they tour blue collar, working class areas. Le Pen promises France First policies that will stand up to the EU overlords and fix this economy. She hammers Macron for being a failed President.

[The Blood]

1. Jadot will respond to the recent conflict between Le Pen and Melenchon, coming out in defense of Melenchon as he slams Le Pen, declaring, "Look, I'm in this race against him, of course I have disagreements with Jean, but Le Pen is a fascist who has daydreams of ruling like a dictator and overthrowing our Republic. She has no regard for our environment, and is the most dangerous candidate in this race." while at a rally in Marseille.

[Rodja]

1.Benoit Hamon holds rally in Paris focusing on his plan to increase influence of worker unions and improve working conditions with his new plan called "Workplace Democracy 2022"

2.Benoit Hamon blasts Melenchon as a "fake leftist" and "nationalist in closet",compares him with Le Pen on issues like EU and NATO

3.Benoit Hamon holds Instagram live answering questions about both his policies and private life,trying to appeal to young voters.

[Edouard]

Event 1 : Macron organizes a meeting in Arras (Nord Pas de Calais Picardy) where he makes clear what is the situation after Le Pen's words

Ms Le Pen maked clear that now the election is between two conceptions of the world. Liberalism versus Nationalism.

Liberalism, which includes patriotism, and which defends an open conception of France and its civilization, and nationalism is the opposite of all of it. Nationalism is the hate toward others, nationalism is the idea that France is a loser of globalization, nationalism is going backward.

There is no real alternative to this opposition, you can not be liberal and nationalist in the same time ! I want to be the protector of France in its essence, in opposition to nationalism, I proudly call myself to put forward liberalism, will everyone running and pretenting to share those views be that clear aswell?

 

Event 2 : In the national assembly (Ile-de-France) Premier Jean Castex submits in the name of the french government the euthanasia bill that 96% of the french electorate supports

The text mainly offers the same medical assisted death which exists in Switzerland for long suffering ilness with the same garantees of the will of the person who benefits from it.

 

Event 3 : Macron went to a bainstorming accross Aquitaine, promising to do no cuts in the education budget after the presidential election, well aware that a new debt crisis will force the next french governmet to do cuts in some programs.

Edited April 12, 2021 by Edouard

[ConservativeElector2]

Xavier Bertrand travels to the department of Côte-d'Or in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. He holds a rally in it's biggest city of Dijon. ''Five years ago you have backed Macron and look where we you are now. Is that what makes you happy? Did you benefit in any way from the Macron presidency which combines appeasing the EU and legitimizing an anti-France stance? I'll tell you something. Macron doesn't care about you, he has put on a nice mask to mislead the public. Now it's time to take back our country. I am your candidate because I will fight for French interests.''

Xavier Bertrand meets with voters in Argenteuil a northwestern suburb of Paris. Asked by the press what he has to say about the recent criticism of former President Sarkozy. ''Look the time of Sarkozy is over. Everyone but Sarkozy knows that. He needs to accept that the voters won't come back to him. For me his presidency is also to blame for the mess we are now in. Do you remember his campaign in 2012? He couldn't even beat Hollande, so how does anyone expect Sarkozy beating Macron?''

At a podium discussion of the French Agricultural Forum held in Saint-Denis, Xavier Bertrand responds to the France First pledge by Le Pen. ''For me it was never a real question, whose interests I am representing. Should the French people choose to elect me as their leader, I will work for them tirelessly. Of course I will try to work together with foreign leaders who embrace us as equal partners because this is especially crucial for the agricultural, fishing and industrial sectors, but our decision will be made in the Élysée Palace again. Macron's decisions are made in Berlin or Bruxelles. I am 100% made in France and I'll never carry a Chinese price tag on my suit.''

 

[Beetlejuice]

1. Bigard wearing a yellow vests meets with voters at a rally in Paris. Bigard vows to abolish the fuel tax. 

2. Bigard tweets: 

Marine Le Pen lost #FrenchElection2017 to Emmanuel Macron by millions of votes.

Or, as Donald Trump would call it, a historic win.

 

3. Bigard in an attempt to widen his political support calls for a reintroduction of the solidarity tax on wealth at a rally in Paris. 

[The Blood]

2. Jadot will tour Lyon, meeting with local activists and holding a series of canvassing drives. 

 

3. At a Napoleon event in Paris, Green protestors will hold up signs declaring, "Choose Green Over Purple" and, "Cut Off The Monarch's Campaign" next to the drawing of a guillotine. In reaction, Jadot will simply say, "It is not my belief that an egotistical narcissist who wishes to fashion himself as Emperor would do much of anything good for our environment." 

[Cal]

1. Jean-Christophe is excited. Incredibly so! Not only is he polling at one percent, higher than some may have predicted he would, but his candidacy is the talk of the town. There is no such thing as bad news coverage... or at least that's something he had heard from some former president in the Americas or something. Napoleon will use these clips to splice together an online advertisement targeting young right wing voters, claiming that the French establishment is scared that a candidate is running for the people. 

2. Napoleon will next address rumors that he intends to "restore the monarchy" or some other rubbish in a tour throughout Nord-Pas-de-Calais. While he remains the heir to the House of Bonaparte, he obviously does not believe in a monarchy or else he would not be running in a democratic election! Napoleon believes that the people should be given a true choice this election. With most of the right-wing figures being scandal ridden or otherwise unlikable, he believes he can be a suitable choice for all voters to the right of Macron. 

3. Finally, Napoleon will take another tour through Nord-Pas-de-Calais discussing the need to move away from the Euro and back to their old currency. 

[Hestia]

Round-up of Candidates

Marine Le Pen

Marine Le Pen had maybe the best week, turning her fortunes around from the previous week. It is quite possible that she could be on track for a thumping first round victory, but her challenger remains unstable. She now leads President Macron by nearly three points, a critical amount this early in the campaign. After a stellar visit in Hauts-de-France, she definitely began to turn her campaign around. The negative momentum she was plagued with has turned into positive this week. It was only capped off by maybe the visit of the week in Auvergne where many voters are susceptible to the kind of campaign that Le Pen is running.

Rolls: 6,8,10

Emmanuel Macron

The incumbent President has continued to be hounded by a poor week the previous week, and unlike Le Pen, his fortunes this week only got slightly better, resulting in a slightly less sharp downtick in the polls, as reflected in them below. He had a slightly good event in Arras, while the other two were negligible. The President continues to slip in polls, and many top advisors in the campaign are urging him to do something to turn it around. Some are suggesting a sharper turn to the left to try and take advantage of what could be a second round advantage, as long as he makes it there.

Rolls: 6,3,4

Nicolas Sarkozy

The former President continued a steady campaign cycle this turn, and is beginning to sniff second place in the distance! He delivered a good appearance in Brest that was likely the highlight of the week, while an ad against Bertrand also went fairly well. Only the event in Normandie was sparsely attended, causing a slight depression in momentum at that time. Sarkozy should be able to make it a fight if he continues in the plodding trajectory that he is currently on.

Rolls: 7,4,9

Jean-Luc Melenchon

Melenchon was hounded this week by opponents as barbs between Melenchon and Le Pen were traded back and forth. Le Pen definitely came back the beneficiary on the end of that. He got a glimmer of light by a good ad campaign that rolled out this week, but the crushing momentum that he suffered from the last week has persisted into this one, has come farther and farther and dragged him back towards his leftist rivals, who continue their ascendancy and perhaps, even attempting to eclipse Melenchon himself within good time.

Rolls: 3,4,7

Yannick Jadot

Jadot began with a stop in Marseille, where he took a hit by taking some incoming fire on Melenchon's behalf. Voters, while not happy with Le Pen, don't want to see another leftist stick their neck out for a flagging Melenchon campaign. Luckily for Jadot, his events in Lyon and Paris went swimmingly, and the campaign was quickly set right after a beginning that seemed to suggest a struggle for Jadot. After a good first week on the campaign trail, the second week only helped build that momentum and solidified Jadot as a left-wing alternative to Melenchon. Time will tell whether that will be enough to secure a spot in the second round.

Rolls: 2,7,9

Xavier Bertrand

Where Le Pen righted the ship this week, Bertrand's took a nosedive south. He had reason to be hopeful after a decent start in Bourgogne, but the week soured from there. The direct attacks on Sarkozy and Macron have left bitter tastes in the mouth of many center-right voters. Some believe that the attacks between Bertrand and Sarkozy are unnecessary in the long-term effects of the French political sphere. Some are beginning to turn against Bertrand and his brand of independence from the Republicans, leading to many believing that Bertrand's star is fading.

Rolls: 6,1,2

Benoit Hamon

Benoit Hamon continues his upward trend along with Jadot. The attack on Melenchon, unlike some others, were largely neutral and didn't seem to effect the race. The instagram ad definitely helped national momentum which helped Hamon continue, while a hit in Paris hurt Hamon's campaign. The positive momentum from last week was largely undisturbed, but blunted a little. Due to Bertrand's turn to the negatives, it's possible Hamon could slip into the fifth position nationally soon.

Rolls: 2,5,8

Jean-Marie Bigard

Bigard has a bit of an unconventional campaign strategy, but has begun a sort of different campaign. He is taking on water heavily in Paris, while there has been some better news on the national stage itself. Bigard is down to a percentage point and some change in Paris, while averaging about four points nationwide. While Paris holds the most votes, the bad pair of events in Paris the last two weeks has led to an even harder week for Bigard. The tweet about Trump went over well in a favorable audience: the French populace. 

Rolls: 3,10,3

Jean Christophe Napoleon

Jean-Christophe began the week with a near-debilitating ad that nearly sent his campaign spinning off a cliff. However, the two events in Pas de Calais proved the rest of the nation wrong. Many voters were agreeing heavily with his brand of centrism. Many voters who feel like Bertrand wasn't their man but they don't want to get on board with the Republicans yet, are taking another look at Napoleon. His assurance that he won't bring back the monarchy surely won him some admirers as well, as many were relieved by the sort of assurance he was offering them. 

Rolls: 1,9,10

 

National Polling after Turn 2

Marine Le Pen: 22.7% (+.3% from last turn) @Pringles

Emmanuel Macron: 19.9% (-0.9% from last turn) @Edouard

Nicolas Sarkozy: 15.2% (+0.2% from last turn) @WVProgressive

Jean Luc Melenchon: 9.2% (-0.4% from last turn) @Rezi

Yannick Jadot: 8.9% (+0.5% from last turn) @The Blood

Xavier Bertrand: 7.0% (-0.3% from last turn) @ConservativeElector2

Benoit Hamon: 6.6% (+0.2% from last turn) @Rodja

Jean Marie Bigard: 4.0% (-0.3% from last turn) @Beetlejuice

Jean Christophe Napoleon: 1.3% (+0.3% from last turn) @Cal

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: PAYS DE LA LOIRE

Emmanuel Macron: 23.75%

Nicolas Sarkozy: 18.25%

Marine Le Pen: 17.5%

Xavier Bertrand: 9.5%

Jean Luc Melenchon: 8.25%

Yannick Jadot: 7.75%

Benoit Hamon: 5.5%

Jean-Marie Bigard: 3.5%

Jean Christophe Napoleon: 1.25%

Turn 3 Begins now! 🙂

 

 

[Rodja]

1.Benoit Hamon travels to Pays De La Loire visiting local vineyards and talking to voters about his plans to help agricultural sector.

2.Hamon campaign releases national TV ad featuring Hamon as progressive leader and touting his encounter with Sen.Bernie Sanders.

3.At an event in Auvegne Rhone Alpes Hamon warns of "rise of the dark side",obvious Star Wars reference when talking about Le Pen's rise in the polls and points out that "while there is no Obi Wan Kenobi,a progressive agenda that helps people is our only hope!"

[ConservativeElector2]

1. Xavier Bertrand visits Nantes and talks about how to improve economical matters for the Pays de la Loire region.

2. In an apparent twitter rant Xavier Bertrand hits out on Le Pen for accepting and inviting former US President Donald Trump.

(Disclaimer: Fake Tweet)

3. Xavier Bertrand holds a rally in the 16^e arrondissement of Paris, a traditional stronghold of LR. In his speech he says: ''You know why Macron was elected? Because the people rejected Madame Le Pen and because our party had to choose between Fillon and Sarkozy. The later already failed against Hollande, so why should the right elect Le Pen or Sarkozy again? The have already shown, that they aren't capable of winning against the left's choice to be President. If you want another five years of a President not caring about France go ahead and elect not me.''

[Cal]

1. Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte, continuing his quest to sway younger swing voters in online ads, will buy out ad space on YouTube. There, the ad will showcase Bonaparte's unique business acumen and emphasize the understanding he has obtained from his business abroad in the United States and the United Kingdom, painting him as a great negotiator with a good handle of how the economy works due to his extensive financial career. 

2. Next, Napoleon will speak again in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This area went hard for La Pen in 2017, and has some of the highest rates of voters dissatisfied with the government in the French electorate. Here, Napoleon will paint himself as an outsider to French politics who's Bonapartist Party will be able to kick lifelong and inefficient administrators to the curb. He will speak on the need to reform the French taxation system and again show himself as Euro-skeptic. 

3. Finally, Napoleon will tour the nation at large speaking on the need to pursue closer ties with the United States and the United Kingdom. Napoleon claims that under Macron's leadership, international ties have weakened and we need to reassert ourselves with not only a France-first foreign policy, but to reinvigorate our close allies overseas that see eye to eye with us.