Sarko really does have a different perspective from most other Europeans, especially the Germans.
His distrust of socialism in any form and government regulation of all aspects in life probably stem from direct experience: learning about the country of his father becoming a Soviet satellite, wiping out centuries of tradition, religion, and order.
Germany still suffers from its guilt complex, pacifism and on-the-dole mentality, especially in the ex-East Germany. The French are very different people, and want change, which is why they voted for Sarko against Royal and the status quo.
IMO Sarko is looking West, and is a true friend of America.
George W. Bush deserves much credit for welcoming Sarko like a long lost family member, and welcoming France back into the American family.
This could be the start of a beautiful friendship!
Bunch of French "artists and writers" huddle at some caffe, bitching and plotting the death of thousand cuts to Sarko's government. So do German counterparts. Imagine how Guenter Grass feel about this development.
to see what the french will do read your history and see what the fench have done.
wake up! some things never change.
howard abroms, palm beach gardens
It's a real nonsense to say that the unemployment rate has fallen to 8% thanks to SArkozy's election. sarkozy was elected 3 months ago, and the unemployment rate is falling down since 2 years, under Chirac presidency. And Eurostat considers that this rate is in fact higher (9,4%)
It's also wrong to say that Chirac was anti-american and against capitalism !
Many things in this article are obviously wrong, being just prejudices about France that one can usually read in teh anglo-saxon press.
delangre, paris, France
Overall an interesting article but this paragraph threw me for a loop, "People seem to take him at his word. “With the arrival in power of Mr Sarkozy, there’s a feeling that France is opening towards the West,†said the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce."
Isn't France part of the West now? What is the definition of the West then?
Keith, San Francisco, CA/USA
Seems something new is going on in the EU. I think France is able to dominate in the European politics and surely the close friendship with Sarko's new ally George W. Bush can help that. The Germans are really smart but the Friench have always been more innovative and they are able to produce and cultivate the new Europe for sure as Napoleon did centuries ago. Time's changing and Europe needs new waves of innovative progress both in politics and human lives. Hope Sarko won't repeat the mistakes of his great political predecessor.
Steven, Moscow, Russia
Tis lovely to see French energies once again devoted to something more worthwhile than gassing 'poststructuralist' nonsense at outdoor cafes. Europe sorely needs vigour, and the likes of Brown and Sarko are just the fellows to supply it. Ah, now if only the States had a Clinton again...
Alexander Hamilton, NYC, USA
Will France challenge German dominance of the European Union?
How can a myth be challenged?
Is the EU president a German? Have German parliamentarians the majority in the EU parliament or German secretaries in Brussel?
Gerhard Huebenett, Leidersbach, Germany
Your reporting is flawed. Sarkozy had lunch with the Bush's alone as he wife cancelled at the last minute claiming her and the children were sick...sore throats was one report. She was polite enough to call Laura and cancel, but the fact that she did not attend should have people looking a little closer at the relationship between the French and the Neocons in Washington.
I believe she cancelled because she could not stomach a day with the Bush clan, and did not want to expose her children to them.
Tim, Fredonia, Pennsylvania, USA
An American perspective:
Viva, Sarko, and down with Brown!
Mojamaiko, Porter Ranch, CA
His attempts to dilute the independence of the ECB just be strongly resisted.
Alan Heaton, Frankfurt, Germany
France believes it runs and controls the EU project - paid for by the Germans and British to keep underperforming French farmers in their jobs.
They have done a wonderful job in keeping their industries where we have thrown (or negotiated to get into EEC ) ours away - ship building, Fishing, Farming, car industry, aerospace industry, etc. etc. The only success story seemingly is the City - and that looks under peril currently. The French have always used the EEC-EC-EU ratchet for their benefit alone. Why are the Germans suddenly surprised?
The French used the EU to stand on stilts on the world stage post-war , whilst for the Germans it was seen as valuable re-branding.
Sarkozy has already bettered Brown with his rewording of the Constitutional Treaty under a different name.
The sooner Britain leaves the EU and deals direct with the Anglosphere in a global free trade agreement the better. Hopefully the Germans would join us too and leave France to its dodgy deals.
John Marshall, London,
I am an American by birth, now naturalized French. I have lived in France and worked here since 1981. This story is based on entirely faulty info provided by Sarkozy's government, and delivered through the Media, which is run in great Majority by friends of Sarkozy.
The actual situation in France is very bleak. Unemployment is not down, but large numbers of people from the baby boom are retiring. Vast numbers are also retiring early, to receive benefits they know will be reduced very soon. Anyone who falls ill for a week or more is struck from the unemployment lists and must re-apply when they recover. Since the Euro, prices for many things have risen by up to 300%! Privatization has caused gas, electricity, water, and telephone bills to double and triple in 3 or 4 years. The average young person searches 10 years before he/she manages to find a regular, full time job. And it gets worse each day. The social situation is simmering and waiting to explode.
Victor Compton, Cherbourg, France
Hmmmmm,
I think that there is nothing wrong with Sarko's desire to put France back on track after almost two decades of standsill. From Place 4 France dwindled slowly to number 5 then number 6 while GNP per capita dwindled from place 6 ( worldwide) in the 1980's to 16th.Our future lies in the EU and more precisely in a political EU BUT to achieve that scheme France needs to be strong again within its borders and that means strong economic growth, low unemployment and a thriving economy. Our natural partner is Germany and we shouldn't do anything that could hurt our partner....that's why it is necessary to work together and make both EU states the heart of the EU again...;Only then, will germany and France be able to convince the other partners...
pascal-pierre, Dinan/ France, European Union
I find it fairly unlikely that there will be a special relationship with France. Even if the President tried to, we can already see Parisian angry that he came here for his vacation. Perhaps we will just see more healthy diplomatic relations between Britain, America and France. We need to find a way to create a bond again, even without a huge enemy such as the Nazis or the USSR.
Ben Horner, United States,
It is WAY too soon for that. I'll continue to not purchase their goods until I see some REAL good behavior on their part (not just one set of election results), and the Germans STILL get to keep them next time!