Marseille and Immigration

Marseille is an up and coming city. 

It's a quick 30 minute ride from Aix by bus or train and the third largest city (by population) in France after Paris and Lyon.  Marseille was chosen as the 2013 European Capital of Culture.

Marseille is unique for France because of the significant numbers of immigrants from North Africa.  They are coming to France for work and for better lives, especially with France's social benefits.  It poses an interesting opposition to the city of Aix where there is immigration as well... however the immigration to Aix is of wealthy Parisiens from the north who now have access to living in southern France on weekends and holidays while working in Paris during the week due to the great advantages of the high-speed TGV trains.  

Speaking of immigration: after seeing the results of the recent French elections, I have to admit that I'm a bit shocked.  

First let me explain a little about the French political election system.  To be a candidate, one must be French and get 500 signatures from mayors throughout France.  These signatures are called parrinages and they are basically a vote of confidence.  After a bit of campaigning and presenting their platforms (which legally must be the same for each candidate - same amount of money, same amount of time on TV, etc), there is a national vote.  This year of 2012, there were 10 candidates including Sarkozy (the current French president), Hollande, Le Pen, Bayrou, Melenchon, and Joly.  After this vote, the two with the highest percentages (in this case Sarkozy and Hollande), will proceed to have a debate this coming Sunday and then there will be a final national vote that decides the French president.

Now, what surprises me from this election was not the results for Sarkozy and Hollande; it was the high result for Marine Le Pen who heads the Front National, an extreme right party, at about 18%.

Her firm stance against immigration and desire to pull France out of the Schengen zone seems extreme and unreasonable.  I find her stance to be almost anti-multicultural and very exclusive to many people throughout the world.  However, her strong numbers (with support of many immigrants and youth in France) demonstrate the need to bring these issues to the forefront.  

I see this as an opportunity to recognize how important of an issue immigration is for building relationships and helping the world's populations.  However, my business professor doesn't have such an optimistic view; she thinks this is only the beginning for the Front National and is worried for the future of France.

What do you think?