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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| France's new normal | France's new normal |
| (5 months later) | |
| The notion that policies not personality are behind François Hollande's recent travails represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the French presidency (Why François Hollande's popularity has plummeted, 2 November). Hollande's election, on a "Mr Normal" ticket, was a reaction to the excesses of the extravagant Nicolas Sarkozy. The irony is that, minus the bling, President Sarkozy was exactly the kind of leader the French look to – someone to pilot the ship through the hurricane, not to simply wait for better weather. | The notion that policies not personality are behind François Hollande's recent travails represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the French presidency (Why François Hollande's popularity has plummeted, 2 November). Hollande's election, on a "Mr Normal" ticket, was a reaction to the excesses of the extravagant Nicolas Sarkozy. The irony is that, minus the bling, President Sarkozy was exactly the kind of leader the French look to – someone to pilot the ship through the hurricane, not to simply wait for better weather. |
| Hollande's poll numbers are in free-fall not because of his policies – for one thing, there have hardly been any – but because he is the antithesis of Sarkozy's strong leadership style. This is not so much hostility to Hollande as a person, but buyer's remorse – the embarrassed sense that they've elevated a middle-of-the road politician to the presidency. Professor John Gaffney Co-director, Aston University Centre for Europe | Hollande's poll numbers are in free-fall not because of his policies – for one thing, there have hardly been any – but because he is the antithesis of Sarkozy's strong leadership style. This is not so much hostility to Hollande as a person, but buyer's remorse – the embarrassed sense that they've elevated a middle-of-the road politician to the presidency. Professor John Gaffney Co-director, Aston University Centre for Europe |
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