It's election time in France at the moment, and competition is fierce between Nicolas Sarkozy and Segoléne Royal. As the political debates rage on it is surprising that Royal is standing at all. As she announced her candidature former prime minister and opponent Laurent Fabius said "Who will take care of the children?" And so it has been since she came to power, there have been endless column inches devoted to her inappropriate wardrobe, her wearing of high heels, and general appearance. French journalist Benoite Groult (a woman) recently wrote in Le Monde: "How many fair-minded men who had declared their support for a woman will finally rally behind a 'normal' candidate?" Normal, being male of course.
There are many things about France which I prefer to England but I can't see the amount of criticism levelled at Segoléne happening over here. These elections have held a mirror up the France's sexist culture, showing how old-fashioned France has become, not only in terms of sexism, but racism too. This election seems to be above all about who France will pick to mould the country's outdated image. Will it be Sarkozy, the hard-line middle class orator? Or Ségolene Royal, the left-leaning multiculturalist woman? The farmer's son, François Bayrou who represents the country's strong agricultural population is already out of the running but given the vote distribution his choice of alliance will tip the balance.