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SDLP backs Hollande in French Presidential run-off

SDLP International Secretary Claire Hanna has called on the 350 registered French voters in Northern Ireland to back Francois Hollande, the French Socialist Party Candidate in the run-off election for the Presidency of France.

Thu 3rd May

She has also called for these voters to back Axelle Lemaire, the Socialist candidate for the Northern Europe constituency in the French National Assembly elections on June 3 and 17

 

Cllr Hanna said: “The French Socialist Party are our sister party in the Party of European Socialists (PES) and in the Socialist International and we stand in solidarity with them.

 

“We hope to see Francois Hollande defeat outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy because the policies for economic growth which Hollande is advocating will benefit the Irish and UK economies.  Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are centre-right ideological bedfellows and, while the SDLP is in favour of financial discipline, there must also be measures which promote economic growth. There is a better chance of growth policies from Hollande.

 

“In France, elections for the National Assembly (Parliament) are held within two months of the Presidential election. Eleven new constituencies in the French National Assembly have been created.  Northern Ireland is part of the new constituency of ‘Northern Europe’, which consists of ten countries, including Ireland and the UK.

 

“I met Axelle Lemaire, the French Socialist candidate for Northern Europe, when she visited Belfast last month and have pledged the SDLP’s support both for her candidacy and for that of Francois Hollande.

 

“There are some 350 people registered to vote in France who reside in Northern Ireland and, after the presidential election this week, two rounds of voting for the National Assembly on 3 and 17. We hope to reach as many of them as possible in support of the French Socialists and Axelle Lemaire.

 

“Voting can be done in person, by proxy, by postal vote or online. The deadline for postal  and online voting is  7 May 2012.”

Claire Hanna

Councillor Claire Hanna

Email clairehanna@gmail.com
Tel 07729 208 258

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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