WAIT AND SEE AROUND THE WORLD

In keeping with similar views expressed in newspaper columns, I find, again, expressions of discontent which run along similar lines. Jonathan Freedland’s piece in the Guardian of Friday 28^th January 2022 is an instance in point. It is well worth a read:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/28/sue-gray-report-britain-liar-met-police-partygate-report

 

Freedland also references Trump and Putin in his piece.

 

Clearly there is a strange prevalence around the world of a peculiar type of would be autocrat, quite separate from actual dictators and juntas. This is someone who feels him or herself constrained by having to submit to an essentially democratic election to obtain and maintain office, but, in reality would like to dispense with them altogether. Their objective is to hold the office and swan around delegating tasks to underlings, who willingly take on the job, while at the same time, protecting and propping up the image and stature of the ‘great leader’.  In order to maintain their role as ‘great leader’ they will deploy any expedient ploy, such as obfuscation and deception in the most brazen manner. They would seek to remain in the office for as long as possible, and will resort to even harsher methods if they were allowed to do so. It is more difficult to achieve in countries whose institutions have a firm civilian grasp of the rule of law, but it is not impossible. We have seen this in the past, and we see it now in Russia (I was about to type Soviet Union), Belarus, Hungary and the latest attempts by Trump in the United States.

 

For some obscure reason, Trump has managed to bamboozle a number of Congressional, and Senatorial representatives, to his way of thinking as well as a large number of the general electorate, who seem to worship him. They would have him as dictator in a heartbeat.

 

Observing and listening to him makes it impossible for me to understand what it is that causes the likes of Kevin McCarthy, Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz to initially deny him, indeed vilify him, and end up worshiping him. I just don’t get it. The man is clearly a psychotic narcissist. What is it these millions of people admire? One can only hope that the strength of the existing democratic institutions is up to the challenge of thwarting his march towards imperium.   

 

In the meantime, there is a much closer general election to keep a keen eye on. The French are soon to go to the polls to decide on which two, out of the myriad of candidates, will run for the Presidency. There is much to worry about. The left and the liberals are not getting the same coverage as the outrageous right and far right politicians. As with Mr Trump in 2016, their discourse is so disturbing that it attracts greater media coverage and therefore free publicity for the candidate. It would seem that a continuous public presence has its advantages regardless of the rhetoric, so far as the general public is concerned.

 

Be that as it may, the French elections are a two round system, unless during the first round one candidate achieves more than 50% of the total vote., in which case they are elected President outright. With around seven candidates putting themselves forward in the first round, it is unlikely that any one would achieve 50%. So far as the first round is concerned, of the declared candidates, the polls indicate that 46% support the right and far right, 24% centrists, 13% on the left, and 5% green.

 

In previous elections the centrists and the right wing candidates have emerged as the two front runners and, the French, still not totally devoted to the right, rallied round to finally elect a centrist or left of centre president.  On this occasion, given the figures, it could well be that the right of centre candidate has an even money chance of election. Not so much Le Pen or Zemmour, but Pécresse, a possibility. 

 

French National Assembly

However it plays out, the fact of such a crucial election during this particular time of crisis, what with the pandemic and Putin’s forces massing on the Ukrainian border, is cause for concern. The clownishness of Boris Johnson is an added bonus for Mr Putin who can see that any solidarity of NATO Nations, or European Union is a bit fragile. Likewise, the continuing spectre of Trump in the background, so far as the United States is concerned, coupled with the inability of Tucker Carlson to comprehend why the United States might take an opposing view to Mr Putin, enables Mr Putin to strut round the room in full Napoleonic guise, or perhaps he sees himself as General Kutuzov seeing off La Grande Armée. The geography is more of less the same and certainly the weather.

Which brings one back to the French presidential election. The outcome could well have a dramatic impact on the state of Europe and the world. We can only wait and see, rather like Boris Johnson for Sue Gray’s report and the American public for the results of the midterm elections in November. If ever the Democratic Party needed to seriously get the voters out to the polls, this is it. Goodluck all round.