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When German Chancellor, Frau Angela Merkel replaced the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as the most powerful woman in the world, she encouraged women throughout the world to seek political advancement.

In France, Segolene Royal fought to govern France. 'Sego' fought her male rivals for the Socialist party nomination. Royal, 53, was verbally abused by former ministers Laurent Fabius and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who were well behind in the polls. These battles weakened her before the battle for the presidency. Nicolas Sarkozy, 'Sarko', the centre-right interior minister became French President. Royal dispelled doubts about her abilities and questions about her Socialist credentials when she expressed admiration for U.K. Prime Minister, Tony Blair, along with camps for unruly teenagers and doubts about the 35 hour week. Left-wing detractors say, Royal, an attractive woman with a designer wardrobe, reduced the presidential nomination to little more than a beauty contest.

Liberation, the left-wing newspaper, stated 'When male politicians look stale,not being one is an advantage'. Her femininity should not be her only weapon. Sarkozy would have preferred to fight for the presidency against a Socialist 'Elephant'. 'Sego', in contrast was better at breaking with the past than 'Sarko',despite this being his main campaign theme.

Sarkozy, secured his party's nomination unchallenged. A 1999 film showing deceased Pierre Bourdieu accusing Royal of not being a true Socialist was shown on an internet webpage. Royal's response, 'It will take more than ghosts to unnerve her'.

Hillary Clinton faces the US nation in grueling primaries. Every aspect of her private and public life is under scrutiny. The strain brought a tearful response in New Hampshire. The polls went up in response to her very feminine response. Would a tearful man receive such a sympathetic response or would he be pilloried? Some situations suit women more than men. Is this fair?

In Ireland most elected female politicians share one vital name tag - they are nearly all called Mary. So, if a candidate wants to become President of the Irish Republic they must be called Mary and since a man cannot run - it is against the law to beat a woman!

Women must be twice as good as a man to be considered equal.

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