Losing faith in democracy: France’s abstention problem
By France24
30 January 2022 |
3:59 pm
This week, we're exploring a key question ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in France: "to vote or not to vote?" As the list of candidates gets longer, the race is on to drum up support. But voter apathy is still a major concern and increasing numbers of would-be voters are turning their backs on politicians and the political system. Our reporters went to one Paris suburb with a particularly high abstention rate to meet some who are adamant they're going nowhere near a polling station this spring.
Related
6 Jan
Paris hopes to use its six months at the head of the Council of the EU to tackle the bloc's "economic, educational, migration and military challenges." French President Macron will do it while facing an election at home.
7 Jan
Omicron cases are surging around the world, and France is the latest country to hit a new record reporting 60,000 more infections than the previous high. And - clearly losing patience, President Emmanuel Macron had some salty words for anyone still unvaccinated.
6 Jan
On January 6 of last year, thousands of supporters of Donald Trump poured into Washington. They were convinced he had won the 2020 presidential election instead of Joe Biden and were determined to stop Congress from confirming his loss. The rioters stormed the US Capitol building in shocking images seen live around the world. Some 140 police officers were injured, one dying the day after the attack. Four others who guarded the Capitol that day went on to take their own lives. In this special edition, we look back at the events of that fateful day.
9 Jan
In this edition we head to the Italian capital Rome, which has long attracted the cream of French artists. The prestigious setting of the Villa Medici is home to the Academy of France, and each year a select group of contemporary artists receive a fellowship, allowing them to work on their dream project in a uniquely cossetted setting. Our reporters Luke Brown and Xavier Chemisseur were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of what the artists-in-residence have been working on.
9 Jan
In France, it's estimated that more than 30 percent of people drink excessively. That means more than two glasses of wine per day and more than five days a week. These figures have gone up during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet the government's approach to alcohol has been not as forceful as with other types of addiction such as smoking. Indeed, some specialists say that's down to the power of lobbies within the industry. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
11 Jan
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef made a surprise appearance at the 2016 Bobs - DW's award for online activism. Youssef used plenty of sarcasm to describe the state of democracy in Egypt - but also critizised Western media for pointing fingers at others.
10 Jan
Can digitalization strengthen democracy? Does Social Media help or hinder the drive towards equality? And how has COVID impacted journalism in Africa? Just some of the questions being explored at this year's DW Global Media Forum.
11 Jan
In this edition, we take you to discover the High Plains of Vercors in south-eastern France. In winter, this area is devoid of permanent human dwellings – only animals roam the mountains. It's an immaculate but hostile landscape spread over 170 km² that forest warden Brice Palhec knows well. He takes us behind the scenes of this wild world, the largest nature reserve in mainland France.
15 Jan
France's foreign ministry has said the incarceration 'reduces trust' with Iran. The academic was previously under house arrest.
14 Jan
The press discusses the pressure being placed on French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer as teachers go on strike over confusing Covid-19 rules. We also discuss the outrage of the British papers towards PM Boris Johnson's Partygate mea culpa. We then discover how marijuana could help combat Covid-19 infections. Finally, the papers tell us of a blind date that went viral when a couple in China had to struggle through a sudden lockdown together.
13 Jan
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Friday.
22 Jan
FRANCE 24 spoke to Lu Shaye, the Chinese ambassador to France. He insisted Beijing was prioritising "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but said the Chinese authorities had "not ruled out the use of force" – not with the intention of targeting "the people of Taiwan", but rather to dissuade "separatists in Taiwan" and certain "foreign forces". The Chinese diplomat also said he was "sure" there would be no mass surge in Covid-19 cases during the Winter Olympics, which open in Beijing on February 4.
Latest
15 mins ago
He's the legendary director of "Stand By Me", "Misery", "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men". Eve Jackson talks to Rob Reiner about having one of the longest, and most golden, runs in history with his first seven films becoming cult classics. The filmmaker is at the Cannes Film Festival as his very first movie "This is Spinal Tap" is being screened on the beach.
15 mins ago
He's probably the most awaited director at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Dissident filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov is the only Russian with a film in the official selection. In previous years, Russia banned him from going to Cannes. Now in exile in Berlin, his film "Tchaikovsky’s Wife" is competing for the top prize. Eve Jackson speaks to him about what it means to be there in person, why his film is not about Tchaikovsky's homosexuality and why it's important to defend Russian culture.
1 hour ago
In 2020, Thai youth sparked the largest wave of anti-government protests since the 2014 military coup. But human rights activists say persecutions and systematic harassment have weakened the pro-democracy movement.
1 hour ago
We take a look at some of the independent features in the sidebar sections of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Olivia Salazar-Winspear tells us about Philippe Faucon’s "Les Harkis", which is screening in the Director's Fortnight selection. Set in 1959, it shines a light on the Algerian men who were enlisted to fight for the French Army in units known as Harkis and explores the repercussions they faced as a newly independent Algeria emerged from a deeply traumatic war of independence.
2 hours ago
Boris Johnson has again threatened to break post-Brexit agreements with the EU as victorious Sinn Fein accuses him of pandering to the DUP, which is blocking the formation of a government after recent elections.
2 hours ago
Lionel Messi’s agents have denied reports he has an agreement to become player-owner of Inter Miami CF. Messi has long been linked with a move to the MLS side once he decides to leave his current side, PSG.