There is much ado about more than nothing lately in Europe as governments during the crisis period (alas stillin progress) are getting progressively sacked mostly for their lack of credit crunch anticipation but especially for the ineffective implemented measures.
And no example could be more worthy than that of the immensely charismatic and ambitious Nicolas Sarkozybeing voted out of the beau Elysée… Quelle tragédie! It comes as no surprise however as polls for the last seven years indicated his progressive aversion with le peuple. In his home country, the younger generation regarded him with much vehemence as a result of many unpopular actions (such as the eviction of a certain number ofgypsies from French territory) but above all for hisausterity measures.
Then again, he was known to the whole of Europe for his eccentricity and his charisma. What other president would go personally to rescue his own citizens from a godforsaken country? Or who else would marry a supermodel and make her the headline of proper newspapers (and not of “gentlemen magazines”…)?
Without doubt, France has lost some character. But I would like to go further and challenge readers with the following question: Who else is losing it? Answer:L’Europe, naturellement!
The European Union is known to be the present economic power, in terms of sum of GDP of Member States. So we could say it’s got some riches and potential… But as Mr.Kissinger would say as Secretary of State during the Nixon Administration in an irritated manner:“Who do I call when I want to speak to Europe? “
De jure, we would mention the current president of the European Council (not to be confused with the Council of Europe), ex-Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy. A good and experienced man, no doubt, but as famous as his owncountry… If we get desperate, we ask, so who’s the second in command? In which case, we would resolve that it would be the High Representative of the European Union, Baroness Catherine Ashton. Even if aristocracy sounds fancy for a representative, the “X factor” is still lacking I’m afraid. This is why the de facto spokesman for the EU in the World is anyone who dares to defend its values and its future objectives, both in terms of Human Rights and economic interests. People like MonsieurSarkozy, who were not bothered to guardtheir values in detriment of possible diplomatic repercussions (e.g., sanctions on Iran, Armenian holocaust recognition against Turkey,…).
So, if Europe has anything to lose with the nouveau Chef de l’Étatfrançaisit’s the consequence of the lack of Europeanism of François Hollande (a déjà vupolicy in the French Socialist Party) and its effect on the image of the EU, as it trembles on its own foundations to guarantee the welfare of its Common Market. The preceding Sarkozy-Merkel duo defended the credibility of the EU to the World, but now with le petit Nicolas out, it seems Europe will have to be pushed by the powerful but more austere German motor. And if Europeans are sick of something, itis more austerity measures,which are taken for granted at Brussels meetings in order to prevent the apocalyptic fear of the Germans: Inflation.However, as a memento of appreciation I will copy Monsieur Hollande’s words and declare that Germany cannot decide for the whole of Europe.
Pour finir, it is necessary to say that no matter who won the elections in France, something is certain in Europe: the EU needs a charming, consensual and, above all, enthusiastic figure on the helm. Only then will the EU be areal, great and noble actor in global affairs.
Cecilio Oviedo
