Francois Hollande wins French Presidency - what it means for N. Africa
Francois Hollande has won the French elelction with preliminary results registering about 52% of the votes against 48% for Nicholas Sarkozy, who has conceded defeat .The turnout was just over 80%.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Francois-Hollan...
Francois Hollande said in his victory speech in Tulle "French people, on the 6th of May, have chosen change" . He also remarked that "Europe is watching us, austerity can no longer be the only option," The French people have sent a clear message that they want a policy for growth which is not totally focused on austerity.
Mr Hollande has made clear that he wants to renegotiate the European treaty on budget discipline agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Sarkozy .
This marks a profound change although commentators remark that Hollande's room for manoeuvre on the domestic front will be limited. He has the chance to reunite France which has become polarised and divided during Nicholas Sarkozy's presidency which was often characterised by aggressive attitudes.
French people of North African origin and immigrants in France will be relieved at the passing of President Sarkozy who as interior minister and President took a zero tolerance policy regarding the youth in desolate banlieus and deprived housing estates. Measures such as the ban on the veil have alienated French muslims.
Francois Hollande has the chance to reuniteall the French people and with 5 million or probably more of France's population being of Arab descent, he has the chance to heal wounds and social exclusion.He will of course, have to maintain France's anti terrorism policy but he is far more likely than Sarkozy to promote a positive policy of inclusion and respect for France's muslim population which is long over due.
Algeria's War of Independence which ended in 1962, and France's colonial past still castes a shadow over France's relations with the Maghreb as a whole. A more friendly attitude with a strong committment to creating jobs for young people will go a long way to easing Skarozy's policies of confrontation.
However Hollande's lead over Sarkozy declined during the last weeks of the election and a four point lead is a victory but not a landslide. The National Front of Marine Le Pen won 18% of the vote in the first round and it may well recreate itself as the party of the right if the UMP declines following the departure of Sarkozy. It would be unrealistic to think that some French national attitudes on certain questions have radically altered. Francois Hollande has hinted that immigration quotas are likely to be lowered during the downturn in the economy with high unemployment.
French voters are looking inwards and are concerned with the economic crisis which impacts their daily lives. They are not looking for foreign policy adventures which characterised the Sarkozy presidency, certainly not in Libya.Although the accusations that Gadaffi funded Sarkozy's Presidential campaign have been rebutted his receiving of Gadaffi in Paris was an error of judgement, he was not alone and Tony Blair's reputation has also suffered in this respect.
It is therefore seems unlikely that France or indeed Europe will intervene militarily in Africa or the Sahel, this as President Sarkozy recently intimated when asked about Mali, will be left to the United Nations and regional powers such as Ecowas and the African Union, although whether this will be successful is another matter. The fight against AQMI and other terrorist organisations will continue for a longtime to come.
As regards business ties, France's dominant position in the Maghreb as a trading partner is unlikely to change and Africa will remain an important market for France which has played a key role on the continent for years.That kind of local knowlege and business expertise which has built up for more than a hundred years endures and the French are good at building longterm commercial relationships.
President Sarkozy lost the election because not enough people liked him, he was a difficult man to deal with as President Obama was overheard saying on a microphone that someone had failed to switch off. He offered the French people change in 2007 but they were not happy with the result in 2012. Francois Hollande a more moderate "ordinary" less driven personality now has to prove that he can do better in very difficult times.
The move from austerity to growth which he proposes could have decisive results however, no one can say yet with certainty what they will be.
Mr Hollande has made clear that he wants to renegotiate the European treaty on budget discipline agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Sarkozy .
This marks a profound change although commentators remark that Hollande's room for manoeuvre on the domestic front will be limited. He has the chance to reunite France which has become polarised and divided during Nicholas Sarkozy's presidency which was often characterised by aggressive attitudes.
French people of North African origin and immigrants in France will be relieved at the passing of President Sarkozy who as interior minister and President took a zero tolerance policy regarding the youth in desolate banlieus and deprived housing estates. Measures such as the ban on the veil have alienated French muslims.
Francois Hollande has the chance to reuniteall the French people and with 5 million or probably more of France's population being of Arab descent, he has the chance to heal wounds and social exclusion.He will of course, have to maintain France's anti terrorism policy but he is far more likely than Sarkozy to promote a positive policy of inclusion and respect for France's muslim population which is long over due.
Algeria's War of Independence which ended in 1962, and France's colonial past still castes a shadow over France's relations with the Maghreb as a whole. A more friendly attitude with a strong committment to creating jobs for young people will go a long way to easing Skarozy's policies of confrontation.
However Hollande's lead over Sarkozy declined during the last weeks of the election and a four point lead is a victory but not a landslide. The National Front of Marine Le Pen won 18% of the vote in the first round and it may well recreate itself as the party of the right if the UMP declines following the departure of Sarkozy. It would be unrealistic to think that some French national attitudes on certain questions have radically altered. Francois Hollande has hinted that immigration quotas are likely to be lowered during the downturn in the economy with high unemployment.
French voters are looking inwards and are concerned with the economic crisis which impacts their daily lives. They are not looking for foreign policy adventures which characterised the Sarkozy presidency, certainly not in Libya.Although the accusations that Gadaffi funded Sarkozy's Presidential campaign have been rebutted his receiving of Gadaffi in Paris was an error of judgement, he was not alone and Tony Blair's reputation has also suffered in this respect.
It is therefore seems unlikely that France or indeed Europe will intervene militarily in Africa or the Sahel, this as President Sarkozy recently intimated when asked about Mali, will be left to the United Nations and regional powers such as Ecowas and the African Union, although whether this will be successful is another matter. The fight against AQMI and other terrorist organisations will continue for a longtime to come.
As regards business ties, France's dominant position in the Maghreb as a trading partner is unlikely to change and Africa will remain an important market for France which has played a key role on the continent for years.That kind of local knowlege and business expertise which has built up for more than a hundred years endures and the French are good at building longterm commercial relationships.
President Sarkozy lost the election because not enough people liked him, he was a difficult man to deal with as President Obama was overheard saying on a microphone that someone had failed to switch off. He offered the French people change in 2007 but they were not happy with the result in 2012. Francois Hollande a more moderate "ordinary" less driven personality now has to prove that he can do better in very difficult times.
The move from austerity to growth which he proposes could have decisive results however, no one can say yet with certainty what they will be.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Francois-Hollan...