A survey revealing the voting intentions of different groups in France has shown some of the sharp divisions in party preferences.

"/> A survey revealing the voting intentions of different groups in France has shown some of the sharp divisions in party preferences.

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NICOLAS SARKOZY

One in five gays plans to vote for far right party

A survey revealing the voting intentions of different groups in France has shown some of the sharp divisions in party preferences.

One in five gays plans to vote for far right party
A Goffard

Data compiled by the prestigious Sciences-Po university and published by weekly magazine L’Express looked at the voting plans of a range of groups including civil servants, gay people and Muslims.

Latest opinion polls suggest put President Sarkozy and his Socialist rival, François Hollande, ahead of other candidates. Each is polling around 27 percent of first round votes.

Behind them sit Marine Le Pen of the Front National, polling around 17 percent, and centrist François Bayrou on around 13 percent.

The new survey shows that 78 percent of gay people plan to vote and around half will opt for Socialist Hollande.

After that Nicolas Sarkozy can expect 21 percent of the gay vote, lower than his national score.

However, Front National leader Marine Le Pen performs better among gay people than nationally, capturing 19 percent of the vote.

Some of the sharpest divisions appear among religious groups, with Muslims overwhelmingly likely to vote for centre or Socialist candidates while Catholics are more right wing.

Among Muslims, Hollande polls close to half (47 percent), while the centrist candidate François Bayrou sees a bump in his score up to 31 percent. Just five percent of Muslims say they will vote for President Sarkozy. 

Data from the Sciences-Po says that in 2007, 95 percent of Muslims voted for Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal against just 5 percent for Nicolas Sarkozy.

Catholics, who make up around half of all French people, are far more likely to vote for Sarkozy (50 percent) than Bayrou (14 percent) or Hollande (13 percent).

Among Jewish people pollsters point out that the small number of Jews in France makes data subject to statistical errors.

However, researcher Claude Dargent, interviewed by TV channel France 24, said Jewish people are “more likely to vote for the left.”

Around 30 percent of French people claim to have no religious affiliation.

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BAN

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban

It is one of Germany's more surprising laws that has led to protests throughout the years.

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban
There are restrictions on dancing in Germany during Easter. Photo: Depositphotos/pitangacherry

With restrictions varying across the country's 16 states, the dancing ban, or 'Tanzverbot', effectively bars public dancing on the Christian holiday. In some states, including Hesse, the ban lasts for more than one day.

Now authorities in Frankfurt, the biggest city in Hesse, have vowed to crack down on anyone who ignores the ban that’s in place from Thursday to Saturday, reported regional newspaper the Frankfurter Rundschau (FR).

According to the law in Hesse, a fine of up to €1000 can be handed out to anyone who puts on a public dance event, the spokesman for the Ordnungsamt, Ralph Rohr, told the FR.

One of the city’s mayors, Uwe Becker, of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), has called for residents to show respect for those who observe the religious Easter holiday, and not take part in any dancing.

“Even those who do not belong to a religion themselves should show respect for the feelings of others,” said the CDU politician who is head of the church department in Frankfurt.

The law in Hesse states that dancing in public is forbidden from 4am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 4am until 12 noon.

According to Rohr, city police will conduct their usual checks during this time.

“If complaints are received, police will investigate them,” said the Ordnungsamt spokesman.

In response to the FR's question as to whether dancing would be stopped, Rohr said: “We will end what is not allowed.” Clubs will be contacted by authorities and warned in advance.

SEE ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

Ban is contentious

As well as dancing, other activities are banned at Easter time, such as sporting events and gambling. The ban on dancing has led to protests across Germany throughout the years.

Centre-left Social Democrats politician Kevin Kühnert recently said the ban should be abolished. He said people should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to celebrate or not.  He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk that “anyone who wants to go to a disco that day should be able to do so.”

A protester at a demo in Stuttgart in 2015 holds placards that read: 'We dance when we want!' and 'Release the dance!' Photo: DPA

Not surprisingly, club capital Berlin is the most liberal state when it comes to upholding the silent public holiday, with the 'Tanzverbot' only in place from 4am to 9pm on Good Friday.

In the southern state of Bavaria, which is largely Catholic, the ban runs for 70 hours: from 2 am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday. Penalties vary, but people who flout the law, which tends to be event organizers or club owners, risk fines of up to €1,500.

'Important gesture'

Meanwhile, in Frankfurt, Becker urged all citizens to comply with the legal regulation on Good Friday.

For many Christians it is deemed inappropriate to dance or celebrate during Holy Week – the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday. Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, is of particular importance. For Catholics, the day is traditionally meant for fasting and abstinence.

Becker said that not taking part in “loud and exuberant celebrations” is “an important gesture” that shows respect to “fellow human beings”.

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