France – Sarkozy’s mid-term in office

Two and a half years on, Sarkozy faces discontent on all sides

by Marco Chown Oved

Article published on the 2009-11-06 Latest update 2009-11-06 17:50 TU

French president addresses 64th UN General Assembly in NYC, 23 September 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

As he reaches the mid-point in his mandate, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has lower popular support than ever and is reeling from a stalled reform schedule, repeated scandals and a small-scale revolt in his own party.

This week, Sarkozy's popularity was at an all time low of 39 per cent, down from more than 60 early in his term.

When Sarkozy swept into office in May 2007, he did so promising wide-ranging reforms to France’s ossified public service, its top-heavy parliamentary system and its under-performing economy. He also said he would restore France’s relationship with the United States, which had been suffering since his predecessor Jacques Chirac refused to participate in the American-led invasion of Iraq.

Known as the “hyper-president”, Sarkozy quickly garnered a reputation for his fast-paced, hands-on style, which broke from a long-standing French tradition where Presidents were expected to stay above the fray of domestic day-to-day policy debates.

Domestically, he has succeeded where other presidents failed by introducing an income-tax ceiling, reforming universities and hospitals and passing minimum service legislation to keep trains rolling and schools open during labour strikes.

On the foreign policy front, he has developed a close relationship with Barack Obama and put France in the spotlight by playing a leading role mediating the summer 2008 Russia-Georgia crisis when France held the rotating presidency of the European Union.

But since then, the global economic downturn has foiled further reform and made some of his campaign promises seem unreachable.

Having promised to reduce unemployment to five per cent, the rate now floats dangerously close to 10. Sarkozy also pledged to bolster consumer spending, though now he is struggling to convince companies to refrain from laying-off too many workers.

Events within his government haven’t made Sarkozy’s task any easier. Embroiled in a scandal over his Culture Minister’s tacit admission to have participated in sexual tourism, the president defended Frederic Mitterrand to the consternation of many within his own party. This was followed closely by his 23-year old son’s bid to head the public corporation that run Europe’s largest business district, La Defense.

Many people, both in government and in opposition saw this move as nepotism and eventually persuaded Jean Sarkozy to pull his candidature for the post.

Sarkozy has admitted that his government’s plans will have to change to accommodate the new economic climate, but he promises stability by refraining from moving any of the big names in his cabinet.

While opposition Socialists see an opportunity to beat Sarkozy in the next elections, they remain divided and a clear contender who might rival Sarkozy in 2012 has yet to emerge.