François Hollande: candidate for the presidential elections

Many criticisms have been formed against François Hollande for several months. These criticisms have intensified ever since he became the candidate of the Socialist Party in the presidential election. He was accused of having his appointment to the defection of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, of representing a “soft” left-wing that is only able to function with compromises and even of not having the stature of a president nor the experience of a high officer. However, we should look beyond these simplistic assertions as François Hollande is a good candidate for the presidential elections.

The advantages of the socialist candidate

Even if François Hollande was overshadowed by the aura of the director of the International Monetary Fund who seemed to be the most qualified candidate in case of a crisis he is also extremely competent in economics. He obtained a degree in law, attended HEC Paris and Science Po Paris, then at ENA he worked as a counselor at the Court of Auditors and currently he is a member of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly. In times of crisis, such economic competences are very welcome, if not indispensable. When it comes to the criticism stating that, he doesn’t have the experience of a high office it seems useful to recall that even though he has never been a minister, François Hollande led the socialist party for eleven years. He was also the director of the Cabinet’s two spokesmen - Max Gallo and Roland Dumas - for the government under the presidency of Mitterand. Finally François Hollande has been for a long time the local councilor in Corrèze. He is at the moment a deputy of Corrèze, and his mandate as President of the General Council ended a few months ago. This last point is crucial. In this way Francois Hollande keeps a grasp on the reality of the everyday life of French citizens, what seems to be an asset to the post of the President of the Republic.

A candidate legitimized by the socialist primaries

Socialist primaries took place on 9 and 16 of October, 2011, which as an event was not a novelty. However, for the first time in the socialist party’s history, all the French were able to vote not only the party members. This sight change is not to be overlooked. Indeed François Hollande has gained greater legitimacy through the primaries open to all. Among the 2.9 voters who participated in the second round, 56,6% voted for him. Hollande, who has von this election benefits already of a certain amount of legitimacy even prior to the campaign for he won an election on a national scale even though not all French voters participated.

A candidate with the program of a united left

François Hollande is a candidate who defends the program of a united left. He is a realistic person, who does not hesitate to tell clearly to the French people that sacrifices will be necessary in order to cut the debt and to return to a certain financial balance but also advocates an upgrading of public services that have suffered much over the past five years,, and above all promotes social equality in financial matters – which also failed in the past years. There is an urgent need to reduce the excessive payments of the privileged few and to initiate a real tax reform that will enhance equality based for example on the same tax rate for capital income and bonuses for those of work. This is what, among others is the socialist program, advocated by Francois Hollande. In social matters he would like to restore more justice in the reformed system of pensions, by setting the legal age of retirement by 60 years. This would enable, those who have started working at an early age would be able to retire by the time they are 60. He also intends to upgrade public services, especially hospitals and education where is now, due the last few years’ decadency., there is a huge lack of personnel and equipment.

In spite of all criticism against Francois Hollande is a candidate with important personal qualities, especially in the current conditions; he is a specialist in economics and finance, experienced in high responsibility positions although he has never been a minister. He is enforced in legitimacy by winning the Primaries of his party. François Hollande is the candidate defending a social program, fighting for more justice and representing the values of a united left party - these are the main facts, making him an excellent presidential candidate and a very serious competitor of the candidate of the UMP.