Party Time!

It is almost time for the European elections and we can’t wait.  On Sunday, every country in the European Union will elect deputies to the European Parliament.  These deputies will then head off to Strasbourg where they will do…well, nobody quite knows what, but we’re pretty sure we don’t like it.

48 different parties are contesting the election in France, most of which we’ve never heard of.  Here are a few of of my favorites:

New Anti-Capitalist Party

Union of Struggle Against the Banks

For a Royal France at the Heart of Europe

Cannabis Without Borders

Esperanto, a Fair Common Language for All

Libertarian Program for a Europe Setting an Example Against Sexism and Precariousness

Every night after the news they broadcast 90-second ads for the different parties, a few each night.  It is one of the highlights of the day. 

The major party ads are pretty dull, all about responsibility and blah blah blah.  No wonder nobody likes those guys.

The ads for the various Green parties, of which there seem to be a zillion, tend to be all sunshine and lollipops – “We believe in a clean environment, good jobs for everyone, and puppies.”

The ad for the extreme-right National Front was depressingly familiar – basically We Hate Foreigners. Unfortunately, they are currently leading in the polls.

The Communist Party had a very old dude, one the last of the hard core commies, blaming everything on capitalism.  He kind of swayed back and forth while he talked.  I think maybe he knew Karl Marx personally.

The guy from the Regionalism Party kept railing against the jacobins in Paris.  He was referring to the French revolution and the radicals of the day who centralized power in Paris.  But it seemed a bit dated, like someone in the US complaining about the Whig Party.

Our favorite was the New Deal Party.  The ad started out with a young couple in bed doing, um, what young couples do in bed.  Suddenly a lady comes into the room and sits on the bed. 

“You’re trying to make a baby, aren’t you?” she demands. 

“Uh, yes.” 

“Well, have you thought about what kind of future that baby is going to have, and whether that baby will have political leaders who will make sure there are good job, fair wages, and a clean environment?” 

“Um, no, I wasn’t thinking about that just at this moment” says the guy.

“Why yes, I was!” says the gal.

“So vote New Deal in the European elections!” says the lady, who then leaves the bedroom.

You can see why we love these elections.

KVS