France and the G20

Uncharacteristic modesty

The French president’s more limited plans for running the G20 club

See article

Readers' comments


ahmed limam

Don't hold your breath on any meaningful changes by Sarkozy.

1. As I explained in a post last year the guy is only interested in his own career. He couldn't care less what happens to people on the ground in his native France, the G20 countries, the rest of planet Earth or the Milky Way:

2. The financial meltdown has shown clearly who are our true masters: the bankers. When during decades they made profits, it all went into their pockets. When they started making losses, it was us, taxpayers, who were called to bail them out. And what do we get in return? Zilch. Not even "minimum global standards of social protection [considered by The Economist as] a pipe dream." Read my post on this:


Hikeandski...America gave the world democracy???
Was that just before they discovered Fire and invented the wheel?
I admire the US technological advances...but let's not rewrite history please.
Democracy was given to the world by ancient Greeks!

Marie Claude

"A good example is his belief in the unproven IPCC theory that "anthropogenic CO2 causes global warming"

sorry that agenda was pushed by the Brits (a joke that Russians unveiled by hijacking researchers emails), and Merkel who pushed for the Copenhagen summit, but failed cuz of China and Obama not backing the Europeans

Sarkozy is a opportunist, whenever he could raise taxes for replacing cancelled ones, like the enterprises ones to the local municipalities...he would do it, but failed becuz of our constitutional concil !

Now, France's budget hasn't the strengh of a State Department, taxes raised in France stay in France, but arms sales are another story, whereas UK, nor Germany and nor Belgium, and whatever country that produces arms aren't clean !

so your appreciation is biased


Sarkozy is just another stupid socialist who thinks government is the answer; whereas it is the problem. A good example is his belief in the unproven IPCC theory that "anthropogenic CO2 causes global warming", and his desire to raise taxes to send money to corrupt politicians in opther parts of the world. (How much he will skim is the question). Hopefully, he will not be successful in any of the crackpot ideas.


sherryblack wrote:
Jan 29th 2011 4:12 GMT


Europe gave the world fascism, nazism & communism.

And democracy as well !

stefano de santis

As always,this genetically modified gaullists shows that he is more gaullist than genetically modified.Still confusing motion with action,he pretends that he will heroically defend the Euro,the masterpiece of the so called "Europe":but he will be not alone.Standing by him there will be Frau Merkel.He riminds me of a boy who i knew when i was a child.He was 5 inches tall,but he had a brother 6,5 inches(at 12 years).As soon as someone dared to offend him,he menaced:"Stop,or i call my Brother!"This is the Francogerman axe that will save the world in imitation of Superman.A farce,as everything involving the gaullists.


We know him as Mr.Duracell but indeed he kept his general line.
And I think he is rather more reliable as all socialist alternatives.
Until now I do not see a clear line what the French socialists really would like to change.
In regard of the economic and social problems politicians have no big choice.

The politics of Sarkozy does not really differ from the politics of Mitterand or Chirac as well as the politics of Merkel does not differ really from the politics of Schröder.
Even if politicians change the facts will stay.

Marie Claude

"even Mr Sarkozy admitted this week that it faces “big enemies”.

funny, aren't they our proxy english neighbours that are all but for markets deregulations ?

"Mr Sarkozy’s method has changed, too: less megaphone politics, more diplomatic cajoling."

uh no, in money business, he is just a lawer, that knows his Dossiers !

"Whether any of this, even if achieved, will translate into popularity gains for Mr Sarkozy at home is quite another matter. His poll numbers are near record lows. Unlike France’s 2008 presidency of the European Union, when his globe-trotting and war-mediating boosted his popularity, the G20 issues are technical and hard to explain to voters. And any hopes he has of drawing a contrast with the narrow navel-gazing of the opposition Socialists by striding the globe could ultimately be in vain. For, with each new flattering poll, the chances are rising that the Socialist opponent he will face in 2012 will be Dominique Strauss-Kahn—the head of the IMF."

that's funny how TE is prompt to adopt our socialists ideals when that fits its directed basic anti-sarkozism opinion !

Sarkozy didn't move from a iota from his previous positins at G20, and one would know if these G20 were useful too, it's almost a expensive convention where countries agre to disagree on money solutions


Latest blog posts - All times are GMT
Car technology: Turbocharged
Schumpeter July 12th, 9:00
Gun laws: Prayers and pistols
Democracy in America July 11th, 17:43
Daily chart: Justice on trial
Graphic detail July 11th, 13:40


Products and events



