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Sarkozy in Brussels: a shock talk but no proposals

(B2) In Brussels, Nicolas Sarkozy repeated his campaign speech roughly. But if he did not want to dodge any subject, he remained vague, very vague not to say inconsistent on the means of achieving the objectives he has set for himself.

Thus he reiterated his concern for a Europe that protects "Europe must think of the peoples, not worry, prepare for globalization, and not be the Trojan horse of globalization. Europe must be a political Europe . A compromise must be found so that Europe can move forward together in unison. Europe cannot be built on anxiety, Europe must protect". But no details or timetable. Sarkozy reiterated his belief in better economic governance. Citing the example of the price of the dollar and Boeing, he had this surge “we had social, fiscal, environmental dumping and now here is monetary dumping”. But postponed an initiative until later, "this is not the time".

On the WTO, he was more specific. "I am for freedom of trade, globalization does not scare me." (But I want) "an agreement based on reciprocity, fairness and goodbye naivety". "Europe must open up but the others too, at the same time, under the same conditions. That we open up, yes, but you open the same way. I have not received a mandate to sell off European agriculture and French agriculture. It's not services against agriculture. I don't want us not to be able to do what our American friends are doing" NB: that is to say, to be obliged to reduce agricultural subsidies when the US keeps them.

On the French budget, he was clear in his desire, almost Keynesian, to free himself from too orthodox rules: “I know the monetary rules, France will be there to reduce the deficit and the debt. (But) I ask to be judged at the end of my quinquennium on the debt and the deficit. It doesn't get fixed, week after week. The problem is that France has a growth point behind other countries. We must think carefully about an economic and fiscal shock to go in search of this 1%. I have a dynamic vision of economic policy and not a sacrificial vision. »

On Turkey, it was always clear "its place is not in the European Union". As for blocking the negotiations, "he does not see the point of asking the question now. Besides, it does not arise". Didn't a spokesman for the Élysée say that "the opening of negotiation chapters is a technical question" - in other words, we can continue to open negotiation chapters - "it's the closure of a negotiating chapter which is political". On this point, he takes no risk: the closing of the chapters is frozen

It prevents. Beyond the vagueness of certain remarks, the dynamism of the President of the Republic, his sharp, energetic side seduced. And it's true that he decided, that he breathed new life into a European construction that too often languishes according to consultations and empty words, agreed remarks and postponements. How not to share his words like this when he says. “For a long time I have thought that the European debate has been contrite, without the pretext of technicality, we say nothing to each other, we complicate everything and we simplify nothing, and that explains the disenchantment of our fellow citizens. »

Definitely not being seduced by Sarkozy's style is difficult.

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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