Washington Post (May 8)
“Nicolas Sarkozy is merely the latest leader felled by Europe’s economic crisis and the lassitude of its citizens. His flamboyant, hyperkinetic persona had grown jarringly dissonant with the grayness of the times and undermined his demands for belt-tightening and sacrifice by his countrymen.” France’s new president Francois Hollande will bring a change in tone. Blasé, rather than flamboyant, Hollande “has made clear that he will be less compliant than Sarkozy in the face of Germany’s demands.” Still, Hollande is more likely to bring “changes around the margins” than radical change, excepting his obvious change in demeanor.
“Nicolas Sarkozy is merely the latest leader felled by Europe’s economic crisis and the lassitude of its citizens. His flamboyant, hyperkinetic persona had grown jarringly dissonant with the grayness of the times and undermined his demands for belt-tightening and sacrifice by his countrymen.” France’s new president Francois Hollande will bring a change in tone. Blasé, rather than flamboyant, Hollande “has made clear that he will be less compliant than Sarkozy in the face of Germany’s demands.” Still, rather than radical change, Hollande is likely to bring “changes around the margins,” in addition to his more obvious changes in demeanor.
Euromoney (March Issue)
“Merkel and Sarkozy should stop wasting time with summits and start running seminars on how to use a washing machine.” The spreads on 5-year credit-default swaps (CDS) show an uncanny link with the percentage of men age 25 to 34 still living at home. In Greece nearly 60% do, followed by Portugal, Italy Spain, and Ireland.
“Merkel and Sarkozy should stop wasting time with summits and start running seminars on how to use a washing machine.” The spreads on 5-year credit-default swaps (CDS) show an uncanny link with the percentage of men age 25 to 34 still living at home. In Greece nearly 60% do, followed by Portugal, Italy Spain, and Ireland.
Tags: CDS spreads, Eurozone crisis, Living at home, Men, Merkel, PIIGs, Sarkozy
New York Times (December 6)
The latest Merkozy solution demanding Euro nations work to balance budgets or face sanctions is “the wrong fix…. The Franco-German recipe will exacerbate Europe’s fundamental problem: lack of growth.”
The Economist (July 8)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is wrapped in scandal. Two of his ministers resigned over expenses: one for claiming €12,000 of Cuban cigars, the other for chartering a €116,500 private jet. Now there are allegations his campaign accepted €150,000 in illegal contributions. The Economist says, “if Nicolas Sarkozy wants France to change, he needs to start at the top.” It adds, “Sarkozy has already been tried and convicted by public opinion of another crime: he has betrayed his promise to change France’s political culture.”
