Sarkozy in Washington II: Do the French care?
PARIS — President Sarkozy’s visit to the U.S. has triggered political reactions. According to Socialist Party leader François Hollande, “One can be friend of the U.S. without falling in love with the American model…. We can not agree with President Sarkozy preparing public opinion and France’s partners, step by step, to France’s full reintegration into NATO.” Centrist Party leader François Bayrou, who challenged Sarkozy in the presidential race, regrets the way Sarkozy is embracing President Bush’s policies. It’s difficult to assess how public opinion is looking at new French diplomacy toward the U.S. It seems that domestic affairs and policies are what really matter for now. Given the multiplication of strikes in the public sector (transportation, energy, education) and the rise of frustrations in some segments of the French population endangered by economic changes like oil prices (fishery, transportation companies), Sarkozy and his government will ultimately be judged on their results on these issues more than on foreign policy alone.