Election rules -- and women

[Deleted]

Today there was an election in France for regional representation and it was a huge defeat for the socialist government for a variety of reasons. However, that is not at all what is the most important aspect of this particular election. For the first time in history, the candidates were obligatorily a male-female partnership, so 50% of the people elected, no matter which party they represent, will be women for the first time in history.

In other elections, France has instituted a rule for the last several years that 50% of the candidates must be women, but -- guess what? -- most of the parties put the women in districts that they are certain to lose. On top of that, it is not really obligatory to have 50% female candidates, but the parties who do not do so must pay a fine. And -- guess what? -- several of the major parties prefer to pay a fine.

What is the situation in other countries?

[mich64]

I do not believe here in Canada that we have any such Laws as to male or female percentage representation.

Each riding picks their own candidates per Party for Provincial or Federal representation and pretty much anyone can run in the Municipal elections, just pay the fee. We do have a female Premier of the Province I live in and the Leader of the Opposition is also female. When watching debates on television showing the House of Commons (Federal) I recall seeing many women Representatives but I am not sure what the percentage would be. Therefore, I am not sure if this is much of an issue here, not saying that it is not, but not as overtly as in France perhaps so Laws (so far) have not been necessary.

What I struggle with here is the lack of interest in voting. Turnout for elections is steadily reducing as people are discouraged with Politicians, Parties, their politics and how tax money is spent. Many people believe it does not matter the person or the Party, they are all not in it for the right reasons anymore so why go and vote. Discouraging.

[Deleted]

Well, you are lucky if there is no problem in Canada.

The departmental elections in France took place as planned in the 96 French départements concerned by the elections (Paris, Lyon, Martinique and French Guiana do not vote for this.) That means that 96 men and 96 women were election to head the departmental assemblies. The presidents of the departments will be elected today, but only 6 to 9 women will become president, compared to 90 men. This is pretty much the same as for the municipal elections, which also have male-female parity on the lits of candidates. 48.2% of the municipal councillors are now women, but only 12.9% of the mayors are women.

[Deleted]

Oh, I was being pessimistic (although perhaps the articles about the situation influence an elected person or two). In the end, a grand total of 10 women are going to be departmental presidents.