Pakistan, France poll results surprisingly similar: French CG

Consul General of France in Karachi Alexis Chahtahtinsky has said that apart from their passion for sports, interest in politics is a common thing between Pakistanis and the French people, even if the election results are sometimes unexpected or perhaps confusing.

Addressing an event held to celebrate French National Day, which is also known as Bastille Day, CG Chahtahtinsky said that celebrating the national day is very special this year for three reasons, one of which is that general elections were held in both countries this year.

He said Pakistan held the polls in February, while France held them recently, but the French election results are surprisingly similar to what was witnessed in Pakistan, with a political landscape almost evenly split among three major political forces.

He also said that forming a coalition is always difficult, but as long as a majority emerges at national level, it is possible to push forward the much-needed agenda for reforms, whereas things are usually more clear-cut at provincial level.

“As to who [in Pakistan] will be entrusted to take the lead on that path is not for us to decide, nor for any other foreign country: it is entirely up to the people of Pakistan to decide.” The CG said that the first round of the general elections in France were held on June 30 and the second on July 7, and just as in Pakistan, it would take time for parliamentary groups to organise themselves, and there may always be various issues pending. He said that it remains to be seen what coalition would emerge when the French Parliament convenes next week.

He also said France is going to host the Summer Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11 — 124 years after Baron Pierre de Coubertin undertook to revive this beautiful tradition inherited from ancient Greece.

The third thing that makes the Bastille Day celebration so special is the economy, he added, as after some protracted difficulties, witnessing some positive developments in the economic situation as a whole and in our bilateral cooperation in particular gives us more reasons for hope. He thanked the event’s sponsors, and highlighted the different cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also attended the event, along with other consuls general and dignitaries. The formal proceedings of the event ended with a beautiful display of fireworks over the creek, a French tradition.