Could the French President be making a gross miscalculation?
A WCW Editorial
The French President Nicolas Sarkozy is just about half way through his presidential term, and like most politicians in power, he has his eye on running for re-election. Whether or not the French public has the appetite for another term of his governance is another matter. His term to date has not been short on conflict and scandal. Recently, his culture minister, Frederick Mitterand has come under attack for his past behavior although he has been forthcoming in the details and has hid nothing about his past. Then more to date has been the brouhaha over his son, Jean and his desire to bull doze his way into a key role governing the Haut-de-Seine and the La Defense business district.
To change the debate, the President has returned to some of his old theme music on immigration and crime. His minister on immigration will soon begin a discourse on “What it means to be French”. This is sure to stoke the fires of the current president’s leadership skills. Nicolas Sarkozy is quite skilled at manipulating public opinion and even better at playing on emotions.
Will the French public take the bait? We shall see.
France has a peculiar feeling when it comes to discussing issues of identity and national origin. Some of its more noble traditions stress inclusion and belonging. The concept of Francophonie come to mind. Other tendencies are less desirable when people starting pointing fingers and saying certain people are less French than others. Is being French a question of birth? Is it a question of language? Or is it the issue of cultural identity?
Why does this topic need to be addressed now anyway?
Shouldn’t economic and growth issues take precedence? Economic and business issues demand serious discussion. However the President is opting for an easier why out as France soon heads into the mid-term regional elections. Nonna Mayer was recently quoted at Sciences-Po stating, “Nicolas Sarkozy will try to repeat what he did in 2007. It’s a way to distract from the real issues”.
Recently polling statistics, for what they are worth, state that the president’s numbers are down to a 42% approval rating. Many hold a negative opinion.The BVA poll was conducted last Friday. This will not be the first time that the French President is looking to change direction. He is well coached on which way the wind is blowing. When being a good European is seen as important, he spouts off about Europe. If reform is the message people want to hear, we will receive speech after speech on how things will get changed.
One pundit at a cafe in the township of Neuilly-sur-Seine where Nicolas Sarkozy was once mayor blurted out, “What do you expect? He his obsessed with power.”
The president’s advisers see things differently. They feel that his “new” shift is a return to his conservative base and values that got him elected in the first place. Subjects of crime and immigration are hot button issues across Europe and no more so than in France. The regional elections here are due in March. The winter is coming and many feel the pinch af the economic crisis. Cool thinking and pragmatism are what is required not a return to theme music, which could explode. The French President and his team are probably making a gross miscalculation.
