The Cagle Post has a collection of cartoons about the French presidential election. This one is by Patrick Chappatte, a Lebanese-Swiss cartoonist who draws for Le Temps, Neue Zürcher Zeitung and the International Herald Tribune.
© Chappatte - www.globecartoon.com
THE CARTOON
A Frenchman (note the obligatory baguette and beret) is contemplating the campaign posters of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and Socialist challenger François Hollande, the two candidates who will face each other in the runoff on May 6th. He remarks, "It's a choice between sedative or amphetamines".
EXPLANATION
Amphetamine is a drug which increases people's energy, and makes them excited. This drug represents Sarkozy, who has been nicknamed the "hyper-president" because of his hyperactive leadership style. François Hollande, on the other hand, has a reputation as a calm, reasonable and fairly pragmatic candidate, so he would be the sedative (a sedative is medicine or drug that calms you or makes you sleep).
ALSO SEE
• French elections 2012 (The Guardian)
• French Election 2012 (BBC News)
• France news (The Telegraph)
• Hollande sets France and Germany on collision course (The Independent)
• Sarkozy plays to the far right as he fights for his survival (The Independent)
