Nicolas Sarkozy: 23rd President Of France!

[Videoskooter]

The French have voted and gave 52-year old rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy the thumbs up for leading the country over the next 5 years!

Sarkozy got a convincing 53,16 % of the votes against 46,84 % for his socialist opponent Ségolène Royal!

Sarkozy wants the French to be proud of their country again and to work harder. He also wants to improve the relationship with the US.

Apparently the French preferred his direct language and hard action against the soft politics of Royal who gave the impression of not having a real political agenda and solutions for the many problems France is facing.



In 10 days he will take over the Elysée from Jacques Chirac.

Nicolas Sarkozy

[paul]

Well, I hope they enjoy their bush style goverment

[KoolChris]

Well, to be fair, Mrs. Royal was really no match for Sarkozy. She proved to be a stupid woman, making gross mistakes in major speeches from early on in the campaign, and basically basing her campaign on kindergarten schoolyard remarks about how Sarkozy was no good, and she would be so much better (almost literally), not actual policy. Cat attitudes can appeal to some in other occasions, not when preparing to choose who's going to run the country for the next 5 years... It seems the Socialists really messed up this year, as it appears Royal managed to bypass some serious contenders who had a better chance of making it, including her own husband. Some of the sharpest critics towards Royal thus came from within the Socialist Party.

As far as his relationship with the US is concerned, he might be a brighter and more constructive alternative to the brainwashed De Gaulle-inspired traditional right, whose reactions even today are often dictated by an anti-american sentiment that has been popular and typical ever since WW2, and the French's (still a colonial empire at the time) need to be bailed out, after having surrendered so quickly, and collaborated so massively. De Gaulle, a true nationalist (as opposed to patriot), and the generations of politicians found in his wake, had and have in common the hatred of the "envious loser with a crushed pride" for the "savior", as much as it seems ridiculous. These people believed in the Sovereignty of France, and its right to a paternalizing stance towards (lesser) indigenous lands, not the opposite... France's foreign policy-making has for years been crafted in reaction, often retaliation, to US foreign policy. Let's hope Sarkozy will break away from that tradition.

[dfc99bb]

I was shocked by Sarkozy's victory over Royal! I know he was polling well beforehand but I just couldn't picture an openly pro-U.S. candidate winning in France.

Perhaps the extent of anti-American feelings in France has been exaggerated by the generally anti-Bush US media. It might be more realistic to state that many French disagree with US policies, but that doesn't necesarilly translate into an overall anti-American outlook.

The difference is that Sarkozy will be open about disagreements, which is the natural state of affairs between democracies, and not work against the US as was the case with Chirac. (I'd love to what deals Chirac and company made with Iraq before 2003, and with Iran to this day.)

French Fries are "French" Fries again!!


p.s. What's up in Belgium these days??

[Videoskooter]

First it's BELGIAN fries! For the xxxxxth time, we (a Belgian showman BTW!!!!!) invented that, not ze French

We are gearing up for elections also. The 10th of June, the same day as the parlementary elections in France.

The conservative party is doing very well in the polls, so is the Flemish fascist party! I expect we'll have a "Tripartite" government, that means a consensus government, formed by the conservatives, the socialists and the liberal democrats.

The big question is still: will Belgium survive or are we heading for a major clash between the Flemish and the Walloons? Things are not looking very good on that matter.

[DiscoMan]

As the land of origin of half my family (the other half watched them get off the boat at Kebek) my heart soars at the possibility that France has regained it's sanity. I can once again raise a toast of the finest Margaux - Vive La France!

Now...what to do about Nouveau France...?

[dfc99bb]

BUT what about this Socialist Foreign Minister Sarkozy intends to appoint? Are we once again back to an anti-US foreign policy?


Reports: Sarkozy to Name Socialist as Foreign Minister
Sarkozy to Name Socialist as Foreign Minister

Monday , May 14, 2007

PARIS —
Conservative president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy is already shaking things up even before he is sworn in: He reached out to labor unions Monday and was looking across the French political divide to Socialists as he rushes to put together a Cabinet.

Sarkozy also resigned Monday as head of France's conservative party, vowing to be true to its values even as he cast himself as unifier-in-chief.

He said he wanted to use the "new momentum" of his May 6 election victory to sweep away hidebound ideologies. There were even reports Sarkozy had decided to name Bernard Kouchner, a Socialist icon who founded humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, as foreign minister.

"The message to the French people is one of unity, of openness," Sarkozy said as he stepped down from the UMP leadership, part of the French tradition of separating the presidency from political factions. "We must not be afraid to go toward others, not be afraid to go toward different ideas."

Sarkozy is to take over Wednesday from President Jacques Chirac after being elected on promises of change for a nation down on itself and frustrated with traditional left-right political fault lines. Sarkozy's moves Monday suggest he's wasting no time in trying to prove he's different from one-time mentor Chirac, and the economic stagnation and social tensions left over from his 12-year tenure.

The blunt and often uncompromising Sarkozy, loathed by many on the left, took a rare step of hosting union leaders Monday for pre-inauguration talks, in hopes of defusing their opposition to his plans to reform France's protective labor laws.

A guessing-game was in full swing about who will make the cut in Sarkozy's downsized Cabinet of 15 ministers, which aides say will be announced by next Monday.

One official close to Sarkozy said he had settled on the highly popular Kouchner, a former health minister, to be France's top diplomat. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are still behind closed doors.

Kouchner has been somewhat of a free agent within the Socialist Party, sometimes speaking against the old guard, and is known and respected abroad.

A spokeswoman for Kouchner had no comment, nor could she confirm a report published in the daily Le Monde saying that that he was to meet with Sarkozy later Monday.

Sarkozy's office would not confirm or deny the speculation, and other officials close to him said anything could change between now and the formal announcement of the Cabinet.

Naming a Socialist to a top post would undercut the Socialists' campaign for legislative elections next month. A strong parliamentary majority by Sarkozy's UMP party is seen as crucial to his plans for reform.

Socialists went on the defensive Monday. Prominent party figure Dominique Strauss-Kahn said it would be a "betrayal of oneself" for a leftist to join Sarkozy's government.

Political analyst Pascal Perrineau, of the CEVIPOF think tank, said Sarkozy "is once again catching people off guard."

"It's in his interest to represent the right, center and even, ... because the next months are going to be about reform, to try to go beyond, into the left's terrain," Perrineau said.

Officials said other Socialists were also being considered for his Cabinet, which Sarkozy pledged would hold as many women ministers as men.

Sarkozy is expected to name his prime minister — former Education Minister Francois Fillon is the favorite — shortly after taking office Wednesday.

Labor leaders have criticized Sarkozy's campaign call to require unions in public transport to provide at least minimum service during strikes, which have crippled France in the past.

Sarkozy "emphasized several times that he didn't want to cause difficulty for union organizations and that he wanted to reform the country through dialogue," said Francois Chereque, head of the center-left CFDT union, after talks with Sarkozy.

"We'll see in the decisions whether he heard us or not," added Chereque.

The opposition left, along with unions, fear that Sarkozy will dismantle coveted benefits to make France's labor system more flexible, and will favor the rich over the poor.

Following the election, leftist militants took to the streets in several cities around France, breaking windows and burning cars.

Already Monday, Sarkozy replaced Chirac in Paris' Grevin Museum of wax figures, moving in among other world leaders.

[DiscoMan]

Are the frogs forever lost in the darkness...?

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by dfc99bb

BUT what about this Socialist Foreign Minister Sarkozy intends to appoint? Are we once again back to an anti-US foreign policy?

Well, it happened today when president Sarkozy picked socialist Bernard Kouchner as his Secretary (Minister) of Foreign Affairs. Result: Kouchner accepted the post and was immediately kicked out of the Socialist party for joining a right wing government!

Sarkozy unveils broad government - CNN.com

[Videoskooter]

And today Sarkozy's UMP got an absolute majority in today's first round of the Parliamentary elections.

In Flanders/Belgium, as predicted, the Christian-Democratic party CD&V/NVA crushed the governing leftist coalition. The Socialist and the Liberal parties were severely punished for 8 years of high taxing, a failing Justice, bad management, lies and deception.

The French part in Belgium is gearing up now to undergo a major constitutional clash with Flanders. Over there the Liberal MR (rightwing party, Paul!) has beaten the Socialists too but they won't be strong enough to ignore the demands of the Flemish right wing majority.

The negotiations will be very difficult and could result in an implosion of Belgium.

[paul]

Johan,
What are the key issues the conservatives are using to attract voters in Belgium?

[Videoskooter]

Paul,

"Respect" and "Working together Works". Those were the keywords of this campaign.

- more power for the regional governments of Flanders/Wallonia and Brussels
- more money for the elderly and the sick people.
- fair taxing so that the middle class and the working families get more income
- special conditions for foreign companies who want to invest in Belgium (since our car-industry Ford, Volvo, Audi, Opel is in trouble).
- higher moral values: nothing comes for free, you gotta work for it, so a whole life living on welfare will not be tolerated unless you're unable to work. People will have to look for a job!
- better use of tax funds, no more over-the-top building projects
- better and more accurate public transport system
- respect for other religions but no Islamisation of Belgium, that means, no chador when you work for the government, no burka's on the street, no separation of men and women in public swimming pools, no forced marriages, no female circumcision or other militant Islamic politics. Mosks that spread hate will be closed and the Imam will be jailed or told to leave the country. And no attempts to change the segregation of church and state. All big issues with the Belgians since the majority is Catholic. A lot of people are very tolerant towards Muslems except for the small minority that is trying to impose Islamic habits and religion to Belgians.
- more jails and minors will be brought for a genuine court from the age of 16 when they commit a serious crime. Now it's 18 (under that age you are not tried by a criminal court here, even when you commit a murder, you're sent to a re-education house til you're 18 and then released in most cases).
- more money for public schools and a high standard of education
- want more?

[paul]

My thoughts below.

"Respect" and "Working together Works". Those were the keywords of this campaign. Those are good issues.

- more power for the regional governments of Flanders/Wallonia and Brussels - I guess this is good assuming the national government reduces it's power proportionately.
- more money for the elderly and the sick people. - Now that's good liberal (american definition) values.
- fair taxing so that the middle class and the working families get more income - Again, good liberal values.
- special conditions for foreign companies who want to invest in Belgium (since our car-industry Ford, Volvo, Audi, Opel is in trouble). - Hmm, this could be hit or miss. I guess it depends on those "special conditions."
- higher moral values: nothing comes for free, you gotta work for it, so a whole life living on welfare will not be tolerated unless you're unable to work. People will have to look for a job! - Oh oh. Who is gonna decide morals? Anyway, earning a living and getting off welfare is a good thing.
- better use of tax funds, no more over-the-top building projects - Well, some might have considered the US moon program over-the-top. That said, I can understand reigning in a lot of big money projects.
- better and more accurate public transport system - Sounds liberal there.
- respect for other religions but no Islamisation of Belgium, that means, no chador when you work for the government, no burka's on the street, no separation of men and women in public swimming pools, no forced marriages, no female circumcision or other militant Islamic politics. Mosks that spread hate will be closed and the Imam will be jailed or told to leave the country. And no attempts to change the segregation of church and state. All big issues with the Belgians since the majority is Catholic. A lot of people are very tolerant towards Muslems except for the small minority that is trying to impose Islamic habits and religion to Belgians. - That's fair, regarless of political ideology.
- more jails and minors will be brought for a genuine court from the age of 16 when they commit a serious crime. Now it's 18 (under that age you are not tried by a criminal court here, even when you commit a murder, you're sent to a re-education house til you're 18 and then released in most cases). - Interesting. I didn't think Belgium had a problem with youth crime.
- more money for public schools and a high standard of education - Again, good liberal values.
- want more? - Well, for the most part the most part this sounds pretty good.

[Nano]

53 vs. 47 does not sound like a huge victory. Probably Sarkozy knows he needs some help from the Socialists to make things work (getting laws approved, for example). His offer sounds logical to me.

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by Nano

53 vs. 47 does not sound like a huge victory

Where do you get those numbers? Sarkozy's party is heading for a devastating majority where the Socialist party will be a very tiny player! As expected the 3rd party, leaded by Bayroux will also get a serious number of votes so it looks very bad for Miss Royal's political family.

Don't forget they have a very special voting system in France.

Edit:OMG, now I see what you mean, those where the presidential election scores. Last and next sunday they are voting for a parliament!