FRANCE: Residents in poor Paris suburbs vote against conservative presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy

Record ID: 560376

  • Title: FRANCE: Residents in poor Paris suburbs vote against conservative presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy
  • Date: 6th May 2007
  • Summary: PEOPLE COLLECTING THEIR BALLOT PAPERS AND GOING INTO VOTING BOOTH (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 21st May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA23IVYLLG3MCENWT6R2EGG3521
  • Story Text: Residents in the poor northeastern Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois began voting on Sunday (May 6) with most voters saying they are worried about what a win by the conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy would mean for them.
    "Nicolas Sarkozy scares me, I really think that he is extreme right," said unemployed resident Ben Rejeb Ali. He said the only hope for change in France's poor neighbourhoods with their high unemployment is in a victory for Socialist candidate Segolene Royal.
    "I think she is more human and understands the suburbs better than Sarkozy. Good, with Sarkozy, only the police can solve the problems, whereas she has a lot of other things which could solve the problems in Clichy sur Bois."
    Sarkozy, the combative former interior minister, has promised tough reforms to make France work more, crack down on crime and cut unemployment.

    Residents in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois are voting in France's presidential elections amid grave concerns over the implications of a likely Sarkozy victory on their lives.
    Royal has pledged to create jobs but has also vowed to keep cherished social protections.
    "I hope for changes, and that there is a bit of interest for us here," said student Vina. "For example with the police station, they have made a lot of promises and they are not there, so a bit of change."
    Sunday's vote is the culmination of a fierce campaign in which Royal warned her opponent would be a "dangerous choice" whose election could spark suburban riots.
    Many like Ali and Vina have expressed grave concern at the likely victory for conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, who has a comfortable lead over Royal.
    "I think it would mean the 3rd world war, lots of riots that is what I think," said Leka Kovote, a law student in Clichy-sous-Bois
    Clichy-sous-Bois is one of many poor suburbs - or 'banlieue' -- around France's main cities that house thousands of unemployed young immigrants, facing discrimination, little hope of pulling out of poverty and less hope of finding a job. The neighbourhood saw violent protests during the 2005 explosion of violence in suburbs across France.
    In recognition of the significant growth in the electoral population in these areas, which account for between seven and nine percent of new voters, candidates have added the banlieue to their campaign trails. But Sarkozy's pledge to clean crime-ridden estates with a power hose and rid them of the rioters poisoning life there, who he called "scum", stoked animosity towards him.
    There are fears of another explosion of violence should Sarkozy win. Many have been angered by Sarkozy's tough line on immigration. His Socialist opponent Segolene Royal however scored highly in suburban areas around Paris during the first round.
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