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Why Nicolas Sarkozy was an extraordinary president Why Nicolas Sarkozy was an extraordinary president
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On Sunday, France put an end to Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency. Five years after electing him enthusiastically, the French decided they would rather have an "ordinary" president than an "extraordinary" one.On Sunday, France put an end to Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency. Five years after electing him enthusiastically, the French decided they would rather have an "ordinary" president than an "extraordinary" one.
In the best republican spirit, I congratulate François Hollande on his election. But we should also remember exactly what it was about Sarkozy as president that made him so different, so extraordinary.In the best republican spirit, I congratulate François Hollande on his election. But we should also remember exactly what it was about Sarkozy as president that made him so different, so extraordinary.
Sarkozy was extraordinary in the sense that he was fundamentally different from the traditional French political elite, a lawyer of Hungarian descent born and raised in a Parisian suburb. Unlike France's new president, there were no grandes écoles, no political rural roots and no bourgeois family for Sarkozy.Sarkozy was extraordinary in the sense that he was fundamentally different from the traditional French political elite, a lawyer of Hungarian descent born and raised in a Parisian suburb. Unlike France's new president, there were no grandes écoles, no political rural roots and no bourgeois family for Sarkozy.
This fundamental difference is why people elected him in 2007 and why they rejected him in 2012. The French liked the unconventional candidate; they never liked the unconventional president. They had been accustomed to distant fatherly figures and instead they got France's first president of the 21st century: pragmatic, proactive, transparent and media savvy.This fundamental difference is why people elected him in 2007 and why they rejected him in 2012. The French liked the unconventional candidate; they never liked the unconventional president. They had been accustomed to distant fatherly figures and instead they got France's first president of the 21st century: pragmatic, proactive, transparent and media savvy.
For better or for worse Sarkozy reshaped the French presidency. The days where a French president could withdraw from the public eye in the Elysée pala ce, have a parallel family life or regulate the economy as he pleased, are over. For better or for worse Sarkozy reshaped the French presidency. The days where a French president could withdraw from the public eye in the Elysée palace, have a parallel family life or regulate the economy as he pleased, are over.
Future holders of the office will have to be in the frontline from day one. Ruling from a distance, hiding behind prime ministers, will not be an option. Sarkozy made it work because that is who he is; is Hollande ready for this? The Socialist party has always been uneasy with the Fifth Republic and its "republican monarchy" but they never reformed it when in power.Future holders of the office will have to be in the frontline from day one. Ruling from a distance, hiding behind prime ministers, will not be an option. Sarkozy made it work because that is who he is; is Hollande ready for this? The Socialist party has always been uneasy with the Fifth Republic and its "republican monarchy" but they never reformed it when in power.
They supported the reduction of the presidential mandate from seven to five years in 2000. With this reform the president's term now coincides with the parliament's, placing the president in the position of majority leader rather than independent "arbiter" as stated in the constitution. French presidents are now much more similar to UK prime ministers in the sense that it is their responsibility to manage their parliamentary majority. Hollande believes he can exercise the presidency like Mitterrand did in 1981: he will learn that it's no longer possible.They supported the reduction of the presidential mandate from seven to five years in 2000. With this reform the president's term now coincides with the parliament's, placing the president in the position of majority leader rather than independent "arbiter" as stated in the constitution. French presidents are now much more similar to UK prime ministers in the sense that it is their responsibility to manage their parliamentary majority. Hollande believes he can exercise the presidency like Mitterrand did in 1981: he will learn that it's no longer possible.
By rejecting Sarkozy and embracing Hollande, the French chose to elect a 20th-century president, with 20th-century solutions for the 21st, illustrating how uneasy they are in this new world. You could say Hollande is inside France's comfort zone: reassuring but deceptive.By rejecting Sarkozy and embracing Hollande, the French chose to elect a 20th-century president, with 20th-century solutions for the 21st, illustrating how uneasy they are in this new world. You could say Hollande is inside France's comfort zone: reassuring but deceptive.
After 12 years of Chirac, Sarkozy was a breath of fresh air, internally and internationally. He brought France back into Europe. He changed the face of French politics by limiting the number of presidential mandates, by institutionalising the control of the Elysée's budget by France's national audit office, and by allowing the opposition to hold powerful offices (such as chair of the finance select committee in the national assembly). He opened the way for a more efficient state by cutting one out of two civil service jobs over five years and by merging unemployment agencies into one. He reformed French universities, allowing them to compete internationally; he reformed France's pension system as well as rules governing strikes in public transport. Thanks to him, France is not a gridlocked country crippled by strikes anymore.After 12 years of Chirac, Sarkozy was a breath of fresh air, internally and internationally. He brought France back into Europe. He changed the face of French politics by limiting the number of presidential mandates, by institutionalising the control of the Elysée's budget by France's national audit office, and by allowing the opposition to hold powerful offices (such as chair of the finance select committee in the national assembly). He opened the way for a more efficient state by cutting one out of two civil service jobs over five years and by merging unemployment agencies into one. He reformed French universities, allowing them to compete internationally; he reformed France's pension system as well as rules governing strikes in public transport. Thanks to him, France is not a gridlocked country crippled by strikes anymore.
He could have done more, many would argue, he should have done more. But conservatism in France is strong, and after 30 years of status quo one cannot reform a country in five. Many, from both left and right and for different reasons, hoped Sarkozy would be France's Margaret Thatcher. They were wrong; France does not have the UK's ability to accept and adapt to change so quickly.He could have done more, many would argue, he should have done more. But conservatism in France is strong, and after 30 years of status quo one cannot reform a country in five. Many, from both left and right and for different reasons, hoped Sarkozy would be France's Margaret Thatcher. They were wrong; France does not have the UK's ability to accept and adapt to change so quickly.
Some would say that Sarkozy's personality has been the main flaw of his presidency, but they tend to forget it was his personality that got him into the Elysée in the first place. The French may not have liked his manners or the way he wears his heart on his sleeve, but in 2007 they elected Sarkozy because of his personality not in spite of it. What changed? At that time the country thought it was ready for reforms but four years of crises changed its mood.Some would say that Sarkozy's personality has been the main flaw of his presidency, but they tend to forget it was his personality that got him into the Elysée in the first place. The French may not have liked his manners or the way he wears his heart on his sleeve, but in 2007 they elected Sarkozy because of his personality not in spite of it. What changed? At that time the country thought it was ready for reforms but four years of crises changed its mood.
How will he be remembered? His reforms will be his best legacy. Hollande's close adviser Michel Sapin confirmed this by saying that the new president will not reverse most of Sarkozy's work; merely a few measures such as minimum terms or territorial reform will be replaced. What better tribute could Sarkozy have hoped for than seeing his work recognised by the political opponent who accused him of having done nothing for five years?How will he be remembered? His reforms will be his best legacy. Hollande's close adviser Michel Sapin confirmed this by saying that the new president will not reverse most of Sarkozy's work; merely a few measures such as minimum terms or territorial reform will be replaced. What better tribute could Sarkozy have hoped for than seeing his work recognised by the political opponent who accused him of having done nothing for five years?
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