Hello from Newshour. Has the Sarkozy project run out of steam? That’s the question we, at Newshour, will be asking at 1230 GMT this Saturday as France prepares for a second round of municipal elections on Sunday.
The French president’s ruling UMP party has dropped images of him from their campaign in an effort to stave off what could turn into a bruising election defeat. So why has this happened? Was it his much-publicised romance with and marriage to Carla Bruni or is that a minor issue in the scheme of things?
Mr Sarkozy was elected president last May as a champion of change. He promised wide-ranging and deep reform to France’s working culture.
In his inauguration speech, he warned that “never have the risks of inertia been so great for France”. And in his first budget in September 2007, French employers were offered incentives to allow workers to do overtime and tax cuts for high earners.
And yet, in the interim, the project seems to have run into the sand and his party is trailing after the first round of municipal elections last weekend.
What do you think? If you’d like to make a point that we can put to our panel or to ask a question, post a comment here or email us. If you’re a French voter we’d particularly like to hear from you – has Mr Sarkozy done anything this far to improve your life?
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This is one that I would really like to hear some informed comment about.
The only thing that I have heard from some French is: “he should get down to doing the state’s business”.
Surely, there must be more to it than that? Here is a little fellow who starts off with the energy of another little Napoleon and is then perceived to fizzle-
Something is indeed going wrong. Nicolas Sarkozy was elected in May 2008 on a new project. That of reforming France. Less than one year later, results do not show up. He promised he would be “the president of the purchase power”, yet it is a pending major issue. His behavior is also a major concern : his expensive holiday on yachts, the way he’s made his private life public, the way he’s shown up on all topics, make French feel they have elected a president that’s not at the right distance : too far from their basic preoccupations, too close to the basics at the same time, and that it does not pay off. The results of the elections later tonight should confirm that Sarkozy needs to build himself a new image. He fired his communication counselor earlier last week. The european and French calendar of the coming months will help him endorse a new presidential role. To be followed.
NB also see post on vuedutoit.wordpress.com
He hasn’t delivered on what he promised, it is as simple as that. One thing about the French and their government – if you don’t come up to expectation, they kick you in the nuts (figuratively).
Many countries could learn this from the French voters – they are not scared of their government and believe that they rights are their rights and will stand up for them.
And this from a person who has been described as a Francophobe, of which I disagree, by the way.
What?
Are you nuts?
The man is French.
Of course women walking and romance is substance.
Remember, France is French.
And don’t forget it.
( In reflective moments we all wish we were too)