IHT.com Discussions: France election
- Comment by: N.Wisconsin USA
It sounds like President Sarkozy is seeking a balace in his cabinet. Vivre le France - Comment by: olcay kar, istanbul-Turkey
The Mediterranean Union: "Perpetual Peace" : this Union can bring peace,prosperity among states. Sarkozy says "Turkey should remain the Mediterranean Union, which has not been established yet." so, there has been discussion for this in the EU and Turkey. for me, this is big project for Turkey and the EU. because, Turkey can be mediator between Israel and Palestinian, may lead to peace. Also, this project can cause new markets, new prosperity and new social, cultural development, which is also described by Kant's "perpetual peace". In addition, Sarkozy says "Turkey should not be a member for the EU" that is wrong for me. because, Turkey can be also mediator between the EU and the Mediterranean Union. in this way, prosperity and social cultural developments can be shared equal among states. so, there won't be immigration through the Europe. so, it good project for me - Comment by: Michel R, Paris
Though I didn't vote for Sarkozy, I think this brilliant initiative could be the real 21st century endeavour for the people of the Mediterranean. This region is the cradle of modern civilisation and is now the key to world peace. Uniting it would bring stability to this region for the first time since the Roman Empire. This Mediterranean Union could have its headquarters in the symbolic cosmopolitan city of Marseilles, that Samuel Huntington predicted would be nuked in a "clash of civilizations". Instead, it could represent a new era of friendship and prosperity between the people of the "Mare Nostrum". - Comment by: Alexander Express
With the Muslim Brotherhood etc? Or without? - Comment by: pascal-Pierre (FR) EU
Well, well,....Hope this is not another way of refusing EU integration....:( Keeping Turkey out fof the EU is something I favor. Turkey is an Asian country with a large Muslim population and we should give to those countries a "strong" bind with the EU but no membership.......The EU is already on the brink of implosion and if it does not take the appropriate measures ( constituion, federal state ..ect..) i don't see the point of it. But in any case, Turkey is for the EU what Mexicao is for the US, a big neighbor that needs to be taken in account . Does the US ever refer to mexico as a possible 51st US state???? So please...my American friends, stop telling the EU what we should do with Turkey! - Comment by: charles reesink, canada
it is about time France reasserts its Mediterranean zone of influence! geopolitically, it is essential in France (and the rest of Europe) resuming ties of old, bilateral as well as global. - Comment by: Carlos Perelman / Mexico City, Mexico
This is a wonderful Sarkozy initiative, Turkey can fully embrace it without fear, as it doesn't jeopardize its EU chances, it can only add to it. Unlike the EU, countries of the mediterranean basin are complementary to each other, which makes them natural partners, in spite of political differences or perceived unjustices. Multilateral collaboration will rapidly benefit all participants. I suggest starting by simply allowing a freeer trade among those countries interested in participating, and then to let results dictate next steps. - Comment by: Joshua Landis
Syria and the Palestinian Authority were both left out of the list of rim countries. Perhaps there are already problems. - Comment by: Manosij Majumdar, Montreal
When Sarkozy sounds divisive, he's hated. When he talks unity, he's hated. I think that actually gives him a lot of breathing space. He doesn't really have to care for impressions - he knows he'll be hated any way. Let's hope history treats this visionary kinder than his present. - Comment by: SKENDER, Vancouver, BC, Kanada
Good idea, cooperation has been every time good. But I'm suspicious about the final perpose of this idea. Does not it mean partition of Europe in two zones of influence, one under Germany (central and eastern europe) and the other under France (suothwest and southern europe etc). I think most of the people of europe is dreaming for one europe with no particular dominant nation. I think that would be the right thing to do. Secondly, I do not understand why Syria and Albania, which are at least at the same degre Meditarranean as Portugal, are not included in this block. - Comment by: herbert rust, st. barthelemy, FWI
This proposal is nothing short of sheer genius. If this is an example of the next five years in the Elysee Palace the world will see a new France. This is a bold concept that is going to be very difficult to organize but if successful could have a dramatic effect on the most volatile part of the world today. President Sarkozy should have the support of all the players in the region for this bold move. - Comment by: khartoum
The international diplomatic stance that france holds in the Allied forces and the atlantic coallation brings light on the palestinane israeli road to peace treaty in jeopordy, france cann't be in a biased stance as it comes close to a finite end with Hamas taking hardline decisions with the Fatih movement. Another right figure in the EU would further put the EU market in a set back and the emergence of the Euro. Sarkozy is a rig of votes, I have been to Paris and lately I cann't say the people are any where ready for the center right movement, OK so if Israel wants to spin on the refugees of Palestine that doesn't count on the EU market asset side, they have to been more considerate, further complications are abundent to the news followers. - Comment by: Stuart Coster
There's little Sarkozy can do without forcing a change to the EU Treaty, and far from every other EU member country is likely to agree. Such is the absolute independence from democratic influence the ECB is awarded under the EU Treaty. Can he really not have read the treaty before opening his mouth? Article 108 clearly states "...neither the ECB, nor a national central bank, nor any member of their decision-making bodies shall seek or take instructions from Community institutions or bodies, from any government of a Member State or from any other body. The Community institutions and bodies and the governments of the Member States undertake to respect this principle..." Sarkozy has clearly not yet realised that heads of state / government of EU member countries, by virtue of their EU membership, are now merely people in office - not in power. - Comment by: Daniel LefГЁvre, Toulouse, France
To DanDx: You have a very good point! Sarkozy was elected by a majority of aging people. The younger, more educated generations have voted for centrist Bayrou or (very) moderate socialist Royal in larger numbers. Will Sarkozysm destroy" La belle France" or will the French resist his policies so much that he'll be forced to either stop them or mess them up (a plausible outcome, considering his taste for jusqu'auboutisme, i.e hard-line measures) ? The situation in present-day France isn't exactly what you often read in the Anglo-Saxon press, for sure. Please just take a look at this article from the Guardian, written by a former British expat and hot from the pot! http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,2075293,00.html - Comment by: Goran, Fort Lauderale, FL, USA
Worsening of US and French relationship was primarily due to irresponsible foreign policy of Bush administration - not because of Chirac or Franch government. France bashing by Bush regime occured only after it openly opposed Iraq invasion. Those in US who are blaming this fallout on Chirac are Bush/Cheney voters who are probably still supporting Iraq war. But we will have our change soon as well and only then will the US and France will be good friends again. Maybe in 20 years, if we work really hard, we will reach the greateness that was ours before Bush came to power. - Comment by: Dr.N.Kaloy, Geneva/Switzerland
Sarkozy is what not only France but many countries in Europe require as an example. Since 16 May 2007 Europe will not be the same as before. A new era begins in the European Union. Dr. Nicolas Kaloy, 0041 22 733 04 73 Geneva. - Comment by: Michael Trager Corvallis USA
Dear People of France, First as an American