France's borderless election
Candidates in the tight French presidential race, eager to find any edge they can, are wooing all-important expatriate voters in other European cities.
from the April 18, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Ms. Doyard says not everything in Britain is better than France, particularly for families. "For example, the cost of living is higher in England than in France for me, because of the cost of child care. I do hope I will come back to France, definitely."
She's just not sure Sarkozy is the man to lure her there. "Sarkozy will probably be the one who dares do the reform that the country needs. It doesn't mean he is the one I will vote for. I don't like the character; I think he's often ambiguous."
Ms. Cheney, the student, agrees. "Sarkozy wants to make it easier to fire people," she says, "but he really is too extreme. He scares me."
Officially, France is relaxed about its exodus of young people. Vincent Floreani, press counselor at the French embassy in London, says that expatriation "shows French people are open, that they are not afraid of the world." He notes that there are approximately the same number of French people living in Britain as there are Britons in France.
But privately some admit that comparison is misleading. After all, the stereotypical Briton in France is a retiree seeking the tranquility of la France profonde. The average age of the French in London is 30. For candidates critical of the current stasis under President Jacques Chirac, this represents a failing that needs addressing.
At the rally here, in a formal lecture hall at Kings College London, about 300 young professionals showed up. Some were openly supportive of Bayrou. Others were there out of curiosity. Aides tried to convince the audience on matters ranging from immigration to education – and on remembering the homeland. As Mr. Perruchot puts it: "We would like to make sure that these people are going to stay for just a couple of years or so – and then come back."
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