electioneering

Poll card has arrived; now for politics. Brits can only vote for the local folk (municipale not canton) but there are 19 of them plus the leader, the mayor. Since there are two lists thats erm, 2 x19 +2. And we know them all and some will be hurt and possibly jolly cross.

The evening de l'amité was wonderful. The candidates had done research and come up with good solutions though the funding mechanisms seemed vague... loved the idea of the community compost heap. Cheap too. After the addressing, it was question time which was where the fun began. There were in effect two questions; when will someone repair the road to Pailiers and why did you support the creche being closed? They were obsessively and alternately addressed by the crowded room after which it was time for a drop of Blanquette Ancestral, normally too sweet for me but there was an air of hysteria that required some attention.

Here, a charming small child entertained himself quietly throughout the event. No doubt training to become mayor.

The other list, Une Dynamique pour Esperaza, seems to have as many claims to power as Cultivons l'Avenir - but no foreigners on the list. Saunieres lot have a Dutchman and a Brit (from Malta) which I cant help feeling prejudiced toward. It does reflect our multicultural community. Saunier himself is Spanish, from the last wave of immigrations here.

I ask around, naturally, at what the French inhabitants think. A phrase has come up often and in different contexts; 'who will steal an egg will steal a cow'. This has been applied to both prospective leaders. I detect smearing....