A Political Earthquake Hits France: Is a European Union Referendum Next?

I will negotiate over the points on which there can be no compromise. If the result is inadequate, I will call for withdrawal. Europe is just a great bluff. On one side there is the immense power of sovereign peoples, and on the other side are a few technocrats.

– Front National Leader Marine Le Pen

I haven’t been paying as much attention to Europe as I was a few years ago. After all, monitoring the oligarch theft, shit-show in my own backyard is a full time job. Even back when I was watching the Continent more closely, I never paid particular attention to the happenings in France. That needs to change.

Ambrose-Evans Pritchard of the UK’s Telegraph has written an excellent article detailing the extraordinary success of Marine Le Pen’s Front National in recent elections. What was once seen as a fringe right-wing party is now collecting a surprising amount of votes from socialists attracted to the anti-bank/anti-euro platform. With all the talk of Greece, Italy and Spain over the past several years, wouldn’t it be ironic if France was the one country that ended it all…

From The Telegraph:

We have a minor earthquake in France. A party committed to withdrawal from the euro, the restoration of French franc, and the complete destruction of monetary union has just defeated the establishment in the Brignoles run-off election.

The Front National is now the most popular party in France with 24pc according to a new Ifop poll. Both the two great governing parties of the post-War era have fallen behind for the first time ever. The Gaullistes (UMP) are at 22pc, and the Socialists at 21pc. 

Asked if she intended to pull France of the euro immediately, she hesitated for a second or two and then said: “Yes, because the euro blocks all economic decisions. France is not a country that can accept tutelage from Brussels.”

Officials will be told to draw up plans for the restoration of the franc. Eurozone leaders will face a stark choice: either work with France for a “sortie concerted” or coordinated EMU break-up: or await their fate in a disorderly collapse.

“We cannot be seduced. The euro ceases to exist the moment that France leaves, and that is our incredible strength. What are they going to do, send in tanks?”

Well now that you mention it…

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