whatiftheblog wrote:3. I hope this isn't prohibited speech, but I'm just loving this French election season. I'm fairly certain I have now seen every video in which Macron has made so much as a cameo appearance because I'm just totally fascinated by this man. And all of the frontrunners speak so well - I remember being absolutely mesmerized by Valls' speech in parliament after the Charlie Hebdo attacks when I watched it live, it felt like I was in some sort of trance. It's an absolute delight professionally (the politics) and personally (the extremely refined level of French used).
I won't enter into a political debate, but I just wanted to make two comments of a more neutral nature, which should not be against the forum rules. Macron has certainly made some waves in French politics, and it will be very interesting to see how things work out for him in the months leading up to the first round of the presidential elections. It will also be interesting to follow the primary of the left, the first vote taking place on 22 January. With nine candidates having entered the race, it is still hard to single out the favourites - Valls is obviously one of them, but his problem is that he is closely associated with Hollande, and for many in the SP he is not leftwing enough. Who the Socialist candidate will certainly influence the support Macron can muster in the end.
You mention how they are all speaking so well. True enough, most of them dominate the higher register of the French language very well, and I think that has a lot to do with the fact that the art of rethoric is still very much appreciated in France and many politicians are very adept at using rethoric figures. They also adapt to the circumstances, whether it is a presidential campaign speech or a speech in memory of terrorist victims.
I can recommend this Youtube chain called Aequivox. They analyse the speeches and rethorics of famous French politicans. I find the videos very informative.