by someone
Mon Feb 19th, 2007 at 10:26:42 AM EST
As I know that we just can't get enough of the upcoming French presidential elections I thought I'd do a quick rundown on how the campaign so far has been covered in the Swedish media. I found it rather instructive. It seems like the Swedish media has largely completely internalised the inevitability of neoliberal economics. On several occasions the frustrated Swedish journalists note how French politicians seem to fail to grasp how the future is here, it's reform or die, and France should really think of the rest of Europe and get on with it already.
Worth noting for those who think that Social Democracy in the Swedish manner is a good thing: I think, that in Sweden even the Social Democrats have come to terms with the inevitabilities of the market and the neoliberal policies it demands. There is no other option worth talking about, and France is seen as simply backwards. I see this as a strong reason to be very wary of the 'Scandinavian model'. It is not really all that left anymore.
Disclaimer: I give no guarantee that these articles are in fact representational of Swedish coverage of the French presidential elections. I did some searching of major Swedish newspapers, and grabbed some stuff that was interesting, or seemed to be reoccuring. Below are brief summaries of the main points I found.
I think the French elections might offer us a very nice opportunity to do a comparison of media across Europe. A kind of snapshot of the European media landscape, in other words. So, let me encourage others to take a look at how the media of some other nation covers this. Do they all (as I suspect) recycle the same ideas and the same narratives?
From the diaries -- whataboutbob
SVT (Swedish Television):
February 4, 2007
Swedish TV has a 2min 52sec clip of Ségo doing an election/listening
meeting in Grenoble, as well as an article describing her campaign.
First we get a mention of the 'Ségo-sphere' of youth who are very
excited about her campaign and its openness. Then a description of her
participative campaigning method and the enthusiasm it inspires in
some, but also how it is becoming a weakness in facing off with
Sarkozy who already has a programme. Further, her speech at this
meeting is described as boring, occasionally uncertain, and uninspiring
with only a few occurrences of audience excitement. It is noted that
some people leave while she is speaking. Then it is on to her famous
gaffes on foreign policy, as well as her trouble with a French
comedian. Finely we are told that Sarkozy currently leads, but that the
campaign has just begun.
Sydsvenskan, from the opinion pages:
February 15, 2007
What would one expect to read in an opinion piece in Sydsvenskan, a
southern Swedish paper which is clearly on the right of the Swedish
political spectrum? Perhaps a rehash of France's weaknesses as
already well established by the English language business press?
Yes, indeed! France, a land with great troubles. Unlike Britain it is
protectionist in a globalising world. Weak growth and terrible
unemployment numbers. Remember those violent riots in the suburbs in
2005? A clear sign of a stagnant economy and failed integration
policies! The country is still relevant because its influence in
Europe, where it totally screwed up the constitution for everyone
else. Further it is noted that necessary economic reforms are not good
election politics, with Le Pen indicated as causing trouble as a
populist alternative. Sarkozy is seen as a bit better than Royal for
breaking with the present crippling attachment to the welfare state,
but he is still too protectionist. Ends with Royal's poor polling
numbers, and the failure of the release of her program to boost the
numbers.
Expressen: (Swedish tabloid)
Leading article, November 18, 2006
Notes that Ségolène Royal has become the Socialist candidate for
president. Then moves on to ask if she will dare to implement the
necessary reforms in France. Things have been going poorly for France
for a long time. The country has enormous deficits, terrible
unemployment and growth is much too low. French politicians have
failed to open up the country, rampant protectionism, and resistance
to globalisation. CPE is described as a modest proposal to improve the
situation for youths, and Villepin is pointed to as a coward for
backing down in the face of violent protests. A bit more on over
protected labour market in France which keeps youth and immigrants out
of the job market. "France has in other words the same problems as
Sweden, but ten times worse." Ends with concluding that the rule of
Chirac is thankfully soon over, and now the country is ripe for a
large dose of economic liberalisation. "But in France liberalism is a
bad word." Sarko is seen as a good neoliberal, but as bad on
restrictive immigration. Ségo's program was not in existance, but it
is noted that she admires Blair, who has continued along the path of
Thatcher, who is credited with bringing Britain out of a deadlock much
like the present French one.
Expressen:
Leading Article, January 16, 2007
Another leading article trying to find the most economically liberal
candidate in the French elections. "France is the sick man of Europe
and needs serious reforms to stand in the new world. None of the
French presidential candidates are convincing, they don't have the courage to
tell the French voters the truth. [...] This does not bode well, for
France or for Europe."
Svenska Dagbladet:
Opinion piece, February 13, 2007
Continental Europe is in trouble. Poor economic performance in
Germany, France and Italy. Worse unemployment than in the US, UK or
Ireland. Continental Europe must reform! Bring in Phelps,
please. Yup, here we go! Phelps piece on 'dynamism' is
referenced. Problem of Europe: Too low rate of innovation. The state
has its fingers in the market too much in Europe. The culture is to
blame. Now, compare to proposals by Ségolène Royal. "According to
Phelps, France is one of the countries in most dire need of
reforms. Royal would bring reforms, but aiming in the wrong
direction." She will give an even larger role for the state. The
horror! She wants to bring in social issues to the future European
constitution, and raise the minimum wage in France, all bad
things. Sarko on the other hand is a good neoliberal. Lower taxes and
more much needed freedom for entrepreneurs. He is seen as bad on
immigration, Ségo as better. She would, however, totally stagnate the
French economy. Bad, bad Ségo.
Svenska Dagbladet:
| Ségolène Royal irriterar och fascinerar | | Ségolène Royal irritates and facinates |
| Ségolène Royal presenterades nyligen som det franska socialistpartiets presidentkandidat inför valet nästa år. Men bilden av henne är kontrastfylld. Hon ger uttryck för konservativa värderingar samtidigt som hon värnar om medborgarinflytande och odlar en såväl ekologisk som glamorös image. | | Ségolène Royal recently became the presidential candidate for the French socialist party. Her image is full of contrasts. She expresses conservative values at same time as she supports citizens influence in politics. She is cultivating both an ecological and glamorous image. |
December 27, 2006
Who is Ségolène Royal? Article looks at a book by Aymeric Montoux and
Benoit Simmat: Ségolène Royal: La dame aux deux visages. Covers
where she comes from, what she might stand for, her political
career, and how it fits in with the French socialist party.
Svenska Dagbladet:
| Sarkozy i bister uppgörelse med Chirac | | Sarkozy in bitter battle with Chirac |
| Alltsedan Nicolas Sarkozy valt att ingå i Balladurs kabinett 1993 har Jacques Chirac med alla medel motsatt sig att han ska bli Frankrikes nästa president. Från att ha varit något av en andlig son har Sarkozy blivit en frän kritiker av Chiracs tid vid makten. | | Ever since Nicolas Sarkozy chose to participate in the government of Balladur in 1993 has Jacques Chirac by all means available opposed his becoming the next president of France. From being something of a spiritual son he has become a strong critic of Chriac's time in power. |
February 9, 2007
This is the Sarko version of the article above, by the same journalist,
who in this case takes a look at Sarko's book: Témoignage. Same
kind of "Who is he" story. The fight with Chirac and Villepin is
centre stage.
Svenska Dagbladet:
January 31, 2007
Notes that Sarko has been going up, and Ségo down in the polls. Talks
a bit about accusations against Sarko for abuse of power in using the
security police to investigate his opponents, as well as the
investigation into who stole the scooter of his son. Points to earlier
accusations against Ségo and Hollande of tax evasion, and to Ségo's
foreign policy gaffes.
Svenska Dagbladet:
February 11, 2007
Here it is, finally, the presidential program of Ségolène Royal. Heavy
on social issues, and developed with a new method of citizen
input. The right to a home, education, and health care with increased
minimum wage, smaller school classes in problem areas, mandatory
schooling from age 3, and 10000 Euro interest free loans to all 18
year olds. We then get another run through of her sinking polling
numbers and many gaffes.
Dagens Nyheter:
Leading article November 18, 2006
Ségolène Royal has become the French socialist party candidate for
president. But the French socialist party is not a Nordic social
democratic party. It is far away from accepting the inevitability of
market principles and their demand for economic reform and
adaption. "A liberal is a dangerous market economist in France" Then
we get a bit on her novel approach of citizen involvement in programme
development. Nicolas Sarkozy is also trying to be a new kind of
candidate for France. He is very good at being at the spot when
something happens. Concluding that France is facing an epochal
election where both main candidates promise a new France.
Dagens Nyheter:
December 3, 2006
Ségo's gaffes in Beirut are mentioned.
Dagens Nyheter:
January 17, 2007
Sarkozy has officially become the presidential candidate of the
right. He delivered a rhetorically skillful, emotional and very, very
long speech. He presented himself as softer and more humble, promising
to keep Turkey out of the EU, punish criminals, and force member
referendums in unions before strikes. Day care for kids, 700000 new
housing units, and state backed loans for home buying. After his
speech he leads in opinion polls. Reports on problems within Royal's
campaign. During a meeting a phone was left off the hook so that Le
Monde's reporters could listen in on the disarray of the Socialist.
Dagens Nyheter:
February 11, 2007
Ségolène Royal has gone into higher gear with the release of her
programme. First, let's note the ups and downs in the polls of Sarko
and Ségo, and how lately they have favoured Sarko. Ségo has been
criticised for her participative method that has delayed the release
of her programme. But, now a new start, with enthusiastic socialist
party members in Villepinte. A clear left programme was
presented. Increase in minimum wage and small pensions. Educational
initiatives, military training for trouble youth, democratic reforms
of the republic. Environmental issues gets a large spot in her
programme.
