Tweedpipe

Looks like I posted some incorrect info above.
As far as I can now make out, the face à face political debate between Hollande/Sokozy is scheduled for next week - probably Wed or Thurs PM. Should be well worth watching!

dmu

Hi, have you got a link for that? Just the one debate?
We're overcoming our personal anti-campaign-coverage campaign and will watch it, but surely it'll be after 20h00? On several channels?

Tweedpipe

HERE it's suggesting Wed 2nd Mai. This is sure to be at prime time (I'd expect at 20h00) on French tv channels 1 & 2 simultaneously.

Tweedpipe

Just seen HERE. It's at 21h00 Wed 2 May.

dmu

Duly noted, thanks!

cjm

While I agree with Tweedpipe, a part of me is a pessimist. It is a question of when and where and to some extent by whom.

Tweedpipe

CJM,
If only just a part of you is a pessimist, that's ok. Optimistic pessimism is a great way to live your life, because you can't lose.
I'm always the optimist, - and especially whether either Hollande or Sarkozy win the run-off.

With a glass of good red wine, you would probably say, "My glass is half-empty! I would say, "My glass is half-full".
Santé!

Tweedpipe

Anyone with a reasonable knowledge of French, and who has a passing interest in French politics, are advised to watch "Des paroles et des actes" on France2 tv tonight (Thurs 26th) at 20h 35.
Links HERE
Sarkozy and Hollande will both be grilled separately for 50mins by a panel of experts, and on completion I would expect their respective views to be analyzed.

jonkemp

Can you keep us posted please :-) as we won't be able to watch it over here. Our house is in the middle of no-where on the Mayenne Orne border and I was somewhat surprised to see that my neighbours had all voted for Sarkozy or Le Pen.

Tweedpipe

Last night Hollande appeared to be well in control of the situation, and emphasized his confidence of being elected. Sarkozy was the attacker, not over-confident but putting his faith in all voters to make the 'wise decision'.

Brief overview of the debate HERE

Additional interesting comments

Tweedpipe

On France2 tv tonight (Sun 29th) at 20h 00 Laurent Delahousse will be interviewing N.Sarkozy and then F.Hollande. Should be interesting.
Related news-link HERE
One thing for sure, the ladies in our household will have their eyes glued on Delahousse, and not the two presidential candidates!

Mind you I'll be able to get even with them, and feast my own eyes on Laurence Ferrari, who will be one of the referees during the much awaited televised face à face dual between Sarkozy/Hollande on Wed 2nd May.

Tweedpipe

It now looks as if tonight's interview N.Sarkozy and then F.Hollande has been retarded 30mins to 20hr:300

Novocastrian

You've been in France too long mate.

Tweedpipe

A brief reminder for those interested in political debates.
The very much awaited televised face à face dual is tonight (Wed) on France 2 tv at 21hr:00 with Sarkozy in the blue corner and Hollande in red corner. The Queensbury rules on this memorable occasion will probably not be adhered to....... It's a 2hr:30 contest and I'm sure there will be a lot to savour. I can't wait!

For those who may not know, F. Holland was the Secretary of the Socialist Party, and Deputy of the National Assembly. He was also the President of the general council of Correze , and Mayor of Tulle.

N. Sarkozy prior to becoming President, held a number of ministerial posts in previous governments, namely Interior Minister, Finance Minister, and Budget Minister. He was also the Mayor of Neuilly, and is a qualified lawyer.

May the best man win.

dmu

We've reserved our seats, not so much for the politics, more out of curiosity to see whether Mr. H does better than Ségolène as an orator opposite Mr. S!
Btw, the debate is being shown on several channels (TF1, various news channels), not just France2.
Bonne soirée!