Why am I writing “French Match” about the French 2022 election?
Let’s first tell you my history of misunderstanding the French political scene
In 2011–12, I was writing a column on the French presidential elections on Rue89 (a very prestigious media at the time later acquired by L’Obs). It was a wonderful opportunity for an exiled journalist newly moved to the country. But I decided to shut it down just after a few articles.
During the 2017 presidential campaign, I had the opportunity to cover the rally for Libération. I interviewed some candidates like both Socialist Party and Green Party candidate Benoit Hamon. I had also the privilege of interviewing President François Hollande at one of his last stays at the Elysée Palace.
This year with French Match, I decided to write about this epoch-making election rally. You are not French or French-speaking but you are interested in this race that will probably change the history of Europe? French Match is the best news and analysis source for you.
But let’s first tell you my history of misunderstanding the French political scene
Coming to France as a political refugee in 2009, it took me more than two years to dare to write about French politics and expose it publicly. When Pierre Haski, Rue89’s boss (now RSF’s chairman) suggested me reveal my “Persian perspective” (that was the name of my column), I thought that it might be finally the time to share my analytical genius with the French people. I had the chance to visit Ségolène Royal up close and speak with several of the candidates’ campaign managers. Many of them became ministers a few months later like Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former Minister of Education.
The column was a relative success, at least for me. I had dozens of comments directly on the website. (It’s a shame that after the acquisition of the site by L’Obs, we can’t see past readers’ comments anymore).
It should be known that the French are a “late adapter” people when it comes to new communication tools. That’s why they created La French Tech (An organization that promotes French startups), to keep in mind that France is not only about food, tourism, or Presidential affairs, but also it could be a Tech country, or as Emmanuel Macron advocates, a “Startup Nation”.
Anyways. The point is when you had dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of comments in 2012, you might think of yourself as an influencer on the topic. I maintained a good connection with my readers because their feedback meant a lot to me. Some of them, I saw them directly drinking together a cup of coffee, as it is the Parisian way. As time went on, I realized that a lot of attention paid to my articles was not because they were insightful, but rather because they were exotic. “Check it out! An Iranian guy talking about us, that’s funny!”
Newcomer innocence
Afterward, I reread all of my articles. Well, they weren’t relevant at all but naive and, honestly, sometimes dumb. For example, I thought that Ségolène Royal is a sweet and romantic political woman. I had this cliche in my mind that religion is a non-subject in French political discussions, and that the political parties here are (must be) very progressive, open, and horizontal.
But I was wrong. So wrong. I was watching the French political scene with my Iranian glasses. Pierre Haski was right to name my column “Persian Perspective”. So I decided to change my outlook. “We must wash our eyes, we must look differently”, in the words of the contemporary Iranian poet Sohrab Sepehri.
If you want to write about the internal issues of a country, you need to know the contexts, the history of the actors, and even their state of mind. All of this was severely lacking for me in 2012. I was a journalist with good French skills, but that is not enough to write about the complexity of the political spectrum in a country like France. So I continued to inform myself and keep track of every political swing in the country.
Follow France from inside out
Understanding the unusual rise of the far-right candidates in France but also the far-left, knowing about the Communist Party coming back at the same time as an unexpected geopolitical crisis (the war in Ukraine) would seem complicated to you. No worries. I will stay by your side to explain the stakes: as if you were in France. I will give you the opportunity to follow France from the inside out.
Subscribe to the premium version of French Match, to get access to exclusive news and analysis, interviews with some key French politicians in this election rally, but also the viewpoints of the best French journalists and analysts, and many other valuable contents that you can’t usually find in non-French sources.
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Latest polling
Latest polling 📊🗳️ #Frenchelection2022 on Mars 11, by Ifop
- Emmanuel Macron, centrist, 31%
- Marine Le Pen, far-right, 17,5%
- Eric Zemmour, far-right, 12,5%
- Valérie Pécresse, right — Les Républicains, 12%
- Jeun-Luc Mélenchon, far-left, 10.5%
- Yannick Jadot, Green Party, 6%
- Fabien Roussel, Comunist Pary, 4%
- Jeun Lasalle, Independent, 2%
- Anne Hidalgo, Socialist Party, 2%
- Nicolas Dupont-Aignant, far-right, 1%
- Philippe Poutout, far-left, 0.5%
- Nathalie Arthauld, far-left, 0.5%
Call to action
How was this edition? Is there any specific topic you want me to write about next time? Feel free to reply and write me.
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See you tomorrow with a new history of the French Match.
Rooh Savar
Next issue :
The April French election under the war shadow | French Match — Issue #2
Is the campaign already over without ever being started?
Let’s imagine eleven gladiators, in an empty stadium fighting and heating each other. Are they fool? No! But the game rule obliges them to fight and wait for the main gladiator, the superstar to shoes him up to the arena. Nevertheless, he is not coming. So the eleven gladiators haven’t any other choice except to heat each other again and again in the total indifference of the public until the superstar comes up. Gate A is planned for his entry where all eleven competitors keep an eye on. Surprisingly, the master of the game announces that the Champion will enter from gate B because of un unpredictable weather issues.
This is how things are going in the French rally for the Elysée Palace on April 10 for the first round and April 24 for the second and ultimate round. The current president Emmanuel Macron delayed his candidacy announcement till the last minute on March 4, while the other eleven official candidates are launched their campaign for several months. But the war in Ukraine surprised everyone, including Macron himself.
👉🏻 Read the entire issue (members only)
Don’t miss out on the premium issues by French Match. Become a member for only €5 per month. Check out👉🏻 membership page.
