On Sunday, May 6, 2007, right-wing French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy was victorious over socialist runner up Segelone Royal. Sarkozy won 53 percent of the vote while Royal managed a close 47 percent in France’s final election round. Sarkozy is determined to bring the country out of its current economic situation and into a new era of prosperity and wide-reaching globalization.
Topping his agenda Sarkozy touts strong economic and social reform, specifically tightening the country belt on immigration. The president-elect is promising substantial reforms in his first 100 days in office, including plans to change France’s 35-hour work week. Despite winning the presidency, Sarkozy is a divisive figure in French society. Many French and indeed many socialist or left-wing Segelone Royal supporters stand vehemently opposed to his tough stance on crime, immigration, and disapproval of France’s generous welfare system.
In addition to his uphill battle to engage European Union leaders and the global community, Sarkozy will have to deal with an intense internal problem, France’s large Muslim immigrant communities who participated in riots in 2005.
Sarkozy Looks to Strengthen Ties with EU and US
Amid staunch criticism from the Chirac-era socialists, Sarkozy had repeatedly expressed his desire for France to take a more active role in the global community and specifically emphasized re-igniting strong friendships with both the European Union and the United States. Perhaps telling of his intended direction, Sarkozy made reference to the US in his acceptance speech. While maintaining France’s desire to remain independent he has offered to renew France’s historic friendship with the US.
Referencing two controversial issues Sarkozy called on the US not to impede the fight against global warming and added France would always be close to the US, but that friends can have a difference in opinion. Evidence of a renewed friendship between the two nations was echoed in the US as well. Prior to the election results, several US Senators said a Sarkozy victory would be favorable to the US as his opinions and views are more in line with that of the US.
Sarkozy is the face of a new generation of French leaders. He is a clear admirer of the Western work ethic and the US. As for Europe, Sarkozy is in favor of a mini-Constitutional Treaty to be ratified by French parliament, opposed to Turkey’s EU bid. Sarkozy is set to pick up several European partners to create a strategic alliance for France. On the top of his post-election visits are Berlin, Brussels, America and Africa.
In a surprise move Sarkozy also made an immediate appeal for a new union encompassing the Mediterranean, which seemed to envisage bringing together Europe and Africa. Sarkozy stated this new union should mirror the effectiveness of the EU and could potentially bring economic prosperity to the Mediterranean.
The Banileue Issue
As we noted in an April 10, 2007 intelligence report, Nicolas Sarkozy faces criticism in France’s poorest neighborhoods, specifically immigrant banileue neighborhoods. In the prelude to the election many banileue residents threatened to riot as they did in 2005 if Sarkozy was elected. On May 6, 2007, shortly after the election results were announced, minor clashes did erupt in Paris and surrounding cities. Reportedly, several hundred rioters in the Place de la Bastille tossed bottles and stones at riot police shouting “Sarko-facist.” In Nantes, two police officers were wounded when nearly 1,000 demonstrators turned violent. Despite more than 3,000 deployed police in Paris and the surrounding suburbs, the violence was short-lived. France’s multi-ethnic make-up and historic tensions between its immigrant population and native French citizens will undoubtedly make it difficult for Sarkozy. It is imperative that Sarkozy not only recognizes the problem, but also develops an effective plan to deal with the issue.
Fulfilling Campaign Promises
Sarkozy’s ambitious campaign promises will cause critical debate in France, often categorized as one of Europe’s most stubborn and unpredictable nations. Acutely concerned about their economic and socialist future some French have been resistant to change. Indeed, the majority of the population is aware of the broad-reaching economic hardship the country has endured these last few years. In addition, many French citizens fear France is being taken over by immigrants who may be changing fundamental aspects of so-called “Frenchness,” might take away French employment opportunities, and contribute to rising crime.
After 12 years of Chirac’s polices, France’s economy has been stagnating, unemployment is at nine percent, and higher among the young with some 25 percent of the country’s under 24 years of age out of work. Already feeling the pressure to drive the unemployment rate down and likewise improve the economy, Sarkozy has vowed to protect French jobs from being sent overseas.
Sarkozy Must Unite
Sarkozy is in for a tough battle. To be a successful leader he will have to stand by his campaign promises and prove his policies will not lead to any further fracturing among the French population. Since winning the presidency Sarkozy has championed a clear break with the old French ways and is pushing a new united French atmosphere. Sarkozy will need to obtain the support and if possible, favor, of the French citizens. Only then will he be able to enact substantial economic, political, and social changes in France.