Policies of Silvio Berlusconi period because during the Cold War Italy had the strongest communist party in western Europe. Vladimir Putin has many times expressed his appreciation for the respect shown by the Italian Prime Minister towards the leadership of the Russian Federation. Silvio Berlusconi is among the most vocal supporters of closer ties between Russia and the European Union. In an article published to Italian media on 26 May 2002, he said that the next step in Russia's growing integration with the West should be EU membership. On 17 November 2005 he commented in regards to the prospect of such a membership that
Domestic policy of the Nicolas Sarkozy administration government's mandate. Therefore, the president can be more implicated in the governmental policy. It was the case with Nicolas Sarkozy, who has been accused of being a "hyper-president" by his opponents. François Fillon appeared as too much submitted to the president. Nicolas Sarkozy had promised during the presidential campaign many reforms. He announced the government would be very dynamic. He pledged to completely revamp the higher education system, to overhaul the judiciary system, judged as too ancient, to lead profound fiscal and economic reforms, and to revise the integration and social benefits system. He pledged to create ministries dedicated to