Sarkozy recasts himself as ‘protector-president’

FRANCE: Humbled by the economic crisis, France’s “hyper-president” Nicolas Sarkozy remains unpopular but unchallenged at home after two years in power, and his upfront style still rattles Europe.

The rightwinger celebrates two years since his election at the Elysee palace this week as the French economy, like that of other European powers, sinks into its worst recession since World War II.

After promising a new era of change, Sarkozy has been forced to re-invent himself as a protective leader in times of economic turmoil and soften some of his rhetoric about reform.

“He is continuing to reform while portraying himself as a protector-president who is staying the course, weathering the storm,” said Gael Sliman, director of the BVA private polling firm.

“By doing so, he is scoring reserve points for when the economic turnaround comes, some time before the next presidential election” in 2012, he said.

Paris, Sunday, AFP