Events in France give us a reason to vote

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday April 22, 2002 09:16 by C.

The victory of Jean Marie le Pen in the first round of the French presidential elections show the need to get out and vote AGAINST certain people.

Having put the case that representative democracy offers no alternatives and is a diversion of our true political power, as per usual I am proved wrong immediately.

Jean Marie le Pen, leader of the far right Natinal Front, came second in the presidential election ballot. This means the run off will be between Le Pen and Jacques Chirac - leaving no left wing candidate for the first time since 1969.

I live in Dublin South Central - where apparently Aine ni Chonaill, encouraged by the v. low turnout in the by-election that elected Mary Upton, is planning to run. The thoughts that my abstention could lead to a seat for her mean that I now feel I have to vote - same as the French socialists who now must go out and vote decisively for Chirac.

If we abstain, do we not give the fascists a potential platform?