Which is the unstated reason why Chirac & Schoeder are so vehemently opposed to all other candidates!
it is the typical solution to all problems faced - draw everyone down to your level / make the good alternatives so unattractive that the bad ones are used!
In the same vein:
I read a "Spiegel" article yesterday summarizing the new German immigration policy.
I noticed that that the new law dows not allow any foreigner to take a job if a German or EU citizen is available for the position. The highly qualified foreign (i.e., non-EU citizen) candidate exception was bagged completely, and a block of the recruitment of highly qualified foreign candidates has been imposed.
That's my interpretation of what I read.
I realize companies may be able to write job cescriptions so specific that they can circumvent thiese regulations, still: If my interpretation is accurate, The Germans appear to be quite content with mediocrity, and, as one reads this thread, appear to not seem to mind spreading it to their EU compatriots.
longjack