by Jessica Reed
Following my last entry following presidential candidate Ségolène Royal's speech, a reader pointed out that Nicolas Sarkozy was still ahead in the polls. Meanwhile left-leaning voters remained suspicious, calling her program just an "annoucement effect" without numbers to back it up.
But yesterday was a step in the right direction for the socialist candidate. Not only was Royal declared ahead of her opponent in the polls (even though I would think French citizens are shrugging when faced with estimations after the stunning 2002 presidential ordeal), she also annouced the cost of her presidential pact (something that Sarkozy has yet to do): 35 billions euros (Le Monde).
Royal government's main expenses would focus on five distinct categories: research, universities' funding, employment, justice (battles against discriminations) and national education- an annoucement which seemed to please the "Ségosphere".
Phew. Now let the war of numbers and promises begin.
