Will the French rise up against Sarkozy?

[Comadreja]

Michael Moore implied that the French are not afraid of their government. Now the test is on them. They elected a RW warmonger, it seems. I will watch with keen interest what the French opposition does in reaction to their new President threatening unprovoked war on an oil-rich nation just like a neoCon Chickenhawk. Show us what can be done, mes amis!

[Kagemusha]

1. That won't be why.

He just proposed big changes to the very generous public servant retirement system. THAT will be why.

He's opened talks with the unions but, the unions can always defeat talks by walking out any time they wish. (Greenpeace and other groups did that to Britain when the govt there was ordered by courts to obey its own laws on nuclear projects and consult with the public much more. Some people got the idea, ok, if the groups just boycott the talks, that ends the matter, right?) The unions are taking an attitude of, "We'll talk, but don't you dare stick a dagger in us for doing so." So Sarkozy has his chance to blow.

[regnaD kciN]

2. Last I heard...

...Sarkosky was wildly popular in France. (Don't know why -- maybe it has something to do with a resemblance to Jerry Lewis? ;-) ) So I doubt a significant bloc of the French electorate is anywhere near the point of trying to remove him.

[cyclezealot]

5. We live in the south of France.

The media is saying his honeymoon is over. His PM has under a 50% approval rating and Sarko's dropped 5% in the last month. Sarkozy is great at triangulation. Sarko so far has avoided talking about changing the medical system. It was odd, Sicko just got here. The turnout all the first weekend was huge.

[NJCher]

6. thanks for the report

Posts like this are one of the best things about DU.



Cher

[cyclezealot]

11. glad we found this thread.

Sarko is in the great tradition of being the ultimate machovelian . Will he know his limits . I always thought the elite knew their position in France because after the Revolution it was off with their heads. One worry. The media is changing . Sarko has good connections and some ownership with Channel 1. Will enough read the two independent journals to keep informed. Still, so far French TV beats the hell out of US TV.

[PDenton]

4. I think Sarkozy

Is well to the left of George Bush. He might even be good for France. I'm not French so I think the proper attitude is that it is their country, not mine. I'm sure they have their reasons.

[DJKDJKDJK]

3. The Maquis never die.

Now is death a good thing or a bad? Hmm.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Remains to be seen.

And calling him a right-wing warmonger is, I think, a vast oversimplification.

[spindoctor]

8. The French rise up against their government every year.

Preferably during tourist season but not in August when the whole country is on vacation.

I'll say it again: Sarkozy and Kouchner may have a hawkish attitude, but their words were not targeted at Iran, they were targeted at the United States. What the French are saying is: "Keep your grabby little fingers out of Iran. If necessary we will take it first rather than let you Yanks corner the oil market."

Yes, Sarkozy is a French rightwinger (not an extremist). Ideologically that puts him roughly in the same box as HRC.

[melody]

9. As long as he keeps his shirt on, I suspect they'll behave

:sarcasm:

Is there any chance of forcing middle-aged European men of some social distinction to stop stripping and posing in the wilderness?

[canetoad]

10. Of course they will.

They have not forgotten the slurs of the USA when they would not join the C of the Willing.

It might take a little time, but the French will not start a war in partnership with the usa.

[Comadreja]

12. Sarkozy has threatened Iran

He has so much as offered French Military might to cow the Iranians into compliance with PNAC goals. Perhaps Bush and Cheney filled him in on OIL- igarchic reality when he took his US vacation?

[Macchendra]

13. Sarcophazy will just hit the Racist button again...

'African Immigrants' ZZAPPP! And all is quiet at the heritage estates country club again.