Considering that his opponent was a crazy communist, I am sure he is the best of the two... but I am intrigued by his comments that suggest he will be much more pro-America than his predecessor.
... and discuss! :)
Monday, May 7, 2007
The new face of France
So I am curious about everyone's thoughts regarding the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as the new President of France.
Considering that his opponent was a crazy communist, I am sure he is the best of the two... but I am intrigued by his comments that suggest he will be much more pro-America than his predecessor.
... and discuss! :)
Considering that his opponent was a crazy communist, I am sure he is the best of the two... but I am intrigued by his comments that suggest he will be much more pro-America than his predecessor.
... and discuss! :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
According the the WSJ:
"Speaking to Americans in his victory speech last night, he declared, 'You can count on our friendship.'"
That kind of a statement is a fresh wind, to be sure. But then, according to your link, he goes on to foam at the mouth a bit about environmental issues - which should be very low on his list of priorities. So its kind of hard to tell.
Mark Steyn - http://www.nysun.com/article/53941 - doesn't think he's going to be that much different, mostly because he will not be able to govern the French people, who want reforms but don't want to be reformed. For instance, he says:
"When you mention "the French riots," most people assume you're talking about the excitable chaps rampaging around in 2005. But it was another set of riots six months later that symbolizes the trap in which the political class is caught. The fall 2005 rioters were "youths" (ie Muslims from the suburbs), supposedly alienated by lack of economic opportunity. The spring 2006 rioters were "youths" (ie pampered deadbeats from the Sorbonne), protesting a new law that would enable employers to terminate the contracts of employees under the age of 26 in their first jobs, after two years.
To which the response of most Americans is: you mean, you can't right now? No, you can't. If you hire a 20-year-old and take a dislike to his work three months in, tough: chances are you're stuck with him till mid-century. In France's immobilized economy, it's all but impossible to get fired. Which is why it's all but impossible to get hired. Especially if you belong to that first category of "youths" from the Muslim ghettos, where unemployment is around 40 to 50 per cent. The second group of "youths" — the Sorbonne set — protesting the proposed new, more flexible labor law ought to be able to understand that it's both necessary to the nation and, indeed, in their own self-interest: they are after all their nation's elite."
He goes on to talk about the flight of the French middle class, who are leaving in large numbers for locales where taxes are lower, markets are freer, and labor is in less control.
Now, how this all parlays into foreign policy will be interesting to watch. Sarkozy seemed to understand the precarious position of France, and the European Union, too, during the presidential runup. But the WSJ says he is inconsistent, especially in trade issues (protectionist).
Interestingly, though, he doesn't appear to be one of the French elite. He is a hungarian Jew, if I remember correctly, which may mean that he will give the elites less influence as he attempts reforms. In any event, I think it is a good sign that Royal didn't win, as she was a true leftest elite.
I, for one, believe in redemption. When I read his quote about France standing next to the US when we need her, I was filled with hope again about the state of US/Euro relations. Obviously, there are things on which we differ, and he mentioned that the US shouldn't try to stop progress on stopping global warming, but the idea that he fundamentally views the US as a friend worth standing by rather than a sag of uncultured swine is refreshing.
I was inspired to proclaim my newfound readyness for friendship with France. I almost went out and bought a bottle of french wine in celebration. But that seemed a bit premature. :-)
This, with the arrival of the Queen here in DC on its heels, has been a good week for America. A moment to step back from all the bickering and take a breath and realize that we are friends and allies.
Post a Comment