[Cincinna]

Sarko is off and running.

A terrific start to implement his programs to rescue France.

The Socialists have taken a “Royal” drubbing.

Stay tuned!

[Cowboy Bob]

At first, it was widely assumed that Sarkozy's openness was purely tactical. He knew he had defeated Royal in the presidential election by about six percentage points, and presumably he feared he might not win a working majority in the National Assembly in the elections in June: a well-founded concern, as it turned out, since the right took 314 seats out of 577, an absolute majority, but short of the 400 or 450 seats most pollsters had predicted.

I believe that Sarkozy lost his 400-450 seat majority in the last few days before the election when he attempted to "reached out" to the opposition by trying to appear more moderate.

A lesson to be learned. First you win the election, then you reach out to the opposition - and on your terms.

[Cicero]

All good news except for his EU chicanery. I have serious reservations about that.

[SunkenCiv]

And other ominous developments loomed: Putin's Russia ratcheted up its bullying of the EU, both its energy delivery blackmail and its posturing over missile defense... Numerous plans for reviving the EU had been broached in various quarters. Sarkozy seized on a few of these and combined them in a characteristically smooth package, which he proceeded to sell. The concept he put forward was a "smaller, leaner treaty." ...In short order, the "small treaty" was approved. The only puzzle was how such a modest, reasonable compromise could have eluded the EU for so long... Last weekend, the Socialist old guard--affectionately known as "the elephants"--circled the wagons around Hollande and started to isolate Royal within the party. Royal, however, who won 47 percent of the vote, thinks she has what amounts to a popular mandate. She will fight back. This is very bad news for the left, which may collapse in the process--and very good news for the amiable Sarkozy.

Thanks Cincinna. I think we'll see things calm down for a short while, then get very, very nasty in Europe -- and that's assuming that the current terrorist offensive doesn't spread.

[Cincinna]

FRENCH ELECTION UPDATE JULY 11 2007

Sarko has succeeded in totally de-stabilizing the Socialist Party and luring away three of its most popular, beloved personalities. First Bernard Kouchner, then DSK, and now, Jack Lang, long one of the most popular people in France.

The have either resigned or have been “excommunicated”. How Stalinist of the PS.

Jack Lang was most recently in the US to inaugurate an American version of “La Fete de la Musique” on the shortest night of the year “La Nuit de Saint Jean” or Saint John’s Night, (June 21). Lang was the original creator of the festival.

Our friend BOZ at FrenchPolitique offers this analysis:

Jack Lang resigns, attacks Hollande

Former Minister of Culture and later Education Jack Lang has resigned as a national secretary of the Socialist party in a very public letter to Socialist party leader Francois Hollande.

During these last five years, I worked without slackening near you and for our party with honesty and solidarity. I took an active part in many combat: regional, European, and presidential campaigns, the opening of our party to many members, development of the socialist project, inscription of the young people on the voter lists.

Today, I do not recognize myself any more through the methods of of direction that are yours, consequently I present my resignation of National Secretary to you and I suspend my participation in work of the National Office. Socialist militant I am, militant Socialist I remain faithful to my ideal of always. In particular, I will continue to fight vigorously the economic policy and social line.

Free citizen, I will serve my country according to codes of conduct that only my conscience will dictate and strong from popular confidence to me which is granted to me.
Lang has been recently approached by Sarkozy to take part in a “commission on the reform of institutions.” He has not yet given a response, although saying he was “honored” this past Sunday, and will make a decision after a Sarkozy speech on the 12th

This from AFP :

FRENCH SOCIALIST LANG QUITS PARTY LEADERSHIP AFTER SARKOZY JOB OFFER

Wednesday, 11 July 2007 (AFP)

- Senior French Socialist Jack Lang said Wednesday he was quitting the party leadership after being asked by rightwing President Nicolas Sarkozy to take part in a high-profile reform commission.

Lang, a former culture minister and one of France’s most popular politicians, is the latest target of Sarkozy’s policy of “openness” which has sparked alarm and anger in the plundered ranks of the Socialist Party.

“Today I no longer recognise myself in your leadership methods,” Lang said in a letter to party leader Francois Hollande.

The governing body of the party had said on Tuesday it would suspend from the leadership any person who participated in Sarkozy’s planned commission on reforming the institutions of government.

Sarkozy asked Lang on Sunday to take part in the commission. Lang said he would consider the offer.

After naming six leftists to his rightwing government in June, Sarkozy made more waves this month by backing Socialist heavyweight Dominique Strauss-Kahn as France’s candidate for IMF chief.

The biggest catch in his policy of “openness” was star Socialist Bernard Kouchner, who he named foreign minister.

Appointing opposition members to government has been a rarity in France and Sarkozy has seized upon this to show that he is delivering on his campaign pledge to break from the politics of the past.

The policy has added to the woes of the Socialists, who have been in the throes of bitter infighting since their defeat in May’s presidential election and again in parliamentary elections in June.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Nice post!