The French elections: Nicolas Sarkozy
April 29th, 2007 by CD
What does the future have in store for France? BBC noted that Nicolas Sarkozy has sought to soften his image and remodel himself as a unifier - to counteract his image as a divisive force in France.
Critics say he is too aggressive and impulsive to be trusted as French leader. They note in particular his comments during the 2005 riots, when he promised to hose the “rabble” from the streets of the suburbs. So his message on Sunday was one of harmony: “My dear compatriots, I want only one thing,” he said. “To rally the people of France to a new French dream, a French dream which will be the dream of a fraternal republic, where everyone will find their place, where no-one will be afraid of the other, and where diversity will be experienced not as a threat but as a richness.”
The left has said he would destroy the much-loved French social model, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. His campaign has focused on France’s ailing economy and an unemployment rate that has remained stubbornly high at 9% of the workforce.
Stay tuned for Segolene Royal analysis tomorrow.
- Posted in International Politics