The man whose fate rests on a solution to the revolt (Chirac plays politics while France burns)

Times on Line ^ | November 07, 2005 | Charles Bremner

[jb6]

THE outcome of the French ethnic insurrection is likely to dictate the fate of one man: Nicolas Sarkozy, the pugnacious Interior Minister who until last summer seemed blessed by the political stars. For the young voyous (louts) and their community leaders, M Sarkozy’s blunt talk about clearing the “scum” from the estates has made him a personal enemy and symbol of hated white authority. “We won’t stop until Sarkozy resigns,” is the standard line when a microphone is put in front of one of the fireraising kids from la banlieue.

François Hollande, leader of the Socialist Opposition, blamed M Sarkozy yesterday, saying that “he carries a large part of the responsibility for the escalation of recent days”.

The media have also called M Sarkozy an “arsonist fireman” for his inflammatory language.

The irony is heavy for M Sarkozy, 50, the son of a Hungarian immigrant, because he is also by far the most senior French politician to favour radical measures to repair France’s failure to include ethnic minorities in society.

In 2002, he set up France’s first Muslim council, charged with handling relations with the State; he opposed the ban on headscarves in schools and he favours positive discrimination.

The French political world assumes that M Chirac set out to weaken M Sarkozy this month by ordering Dominique de Villepin, the Prime Minister, to lie low during the first week of the unrest, letting the Interior Minister take the heat.

M Sarkozy was reported yesterday to be stung by President Chirac’s failure to utter any public word of encouragement or to communicate with him privately over the insurrection.

A poll in Le Parisien reported yesterday that 57 per cent of the French still had a favourable view of M Sarkozy but big majorities opposed his harsh language towards the rioting estates.

With characteristic bravado, M Sarkozy remained defiant yesterday, saying that his strategy for tackling the insurrection was the right one. Law and order came first, and ensuring social justice next, he said.

“The police are the Republic’s police. They ensure order in the Republic. If it didn’t, what order would follow? It would be that of the mafias and the fundamentalists.”

[Brilliant]

"Chirac plays politics while France burns..."


I don't agree. He's not playing politics. He's just stupid.

[Brilliant]

Sarkozy remained defiant yesterday, saying that his strategy for tackling the insurrection was the right one. Law and order came first, and ensuring social justice next, he said...

The only solution is to round them up and put them on a plane bound for Algiers.

[samtheman]

Sarkozy isn't even that great. Just the best of a bad lot.

[Paladin2]

Sarkozy should resign, pointing out that he has no backing from Chirac. Then he should tell the French people that if they want an effective gov't, they have to get rid of Chirac before he'll return.

[Paladin2]

"... put them on a plane bound for Algiers."

They could use that new, hugh Airbus plane and get some test time simultaneously.

[JustAnotherOkie]

I heard he is going to resign yesterday.

[Braak]

WTF is the times smoking? "Ethnic Insurrection"? Aw comeon you idiots...France is just the first to feel the muzzies wrath.

[TSchmereL]

Revenge is a dish best served with French fries and Champagne.

[Nextrush]

News reports in the past have described Sarkozy as pro-American. I don't know what that means exactly in the French context, but the government had better do the Sarkozy thing or else it will fall apart with Sarkozy on the street and LePen looking like a prophet.

[dr_who_2]

What is "positive discrimination"? Affirmative action?

[born in the Bronx]

Chirac is playing politics. There are French politicians who pride themselves on being devious--Chriac is definitely one of them.

[Irishguy]

he nearly lost to the extreme right wing 'Le Pen' in the last election.

i cant remember the exact percentage but it was something like 20 to 30% of france voted for LePen, who supported mass expulsions.



these riots will feed right into his hands...

there is a huge chage coming if they cant get this under control (and i suspect they wont).

apparently, police men were shot and wounded last night, so the worst is still to come...

some countries have issued travel warnings to Paris...

[Psycho_Bunny]

You know, I'd forgotten all about LePen. 

Do you think he's sitting at home laughing or crying right now?

[Irishguy]

dude,

i rekon his is wetting himself laughing over his onion soup right about now...

from memory, this is what he was warning about during the election....

the french may think they have hit rock botton with all the cities rioting but i suspect more is to come, a lot more.

i cant believe they can afford to let this go on much more...i suspect the troops will be called in any day now...and that is a disaster for Chirac. Wont please his arab friends when they see a lot of dead muslims on the streets...

[An.American.Expatriate]

This is the Ero-Appeasement-Spin of this . . . (accepting of course the anarchist/islamofascist line!!)

The statement of Sarkozy was made in JUNE in reference to an entirely different matter!!! It has ZERO to do with what is happening now.

This tactic is designed to make us belive that some legitimate grievance is at the heart of this "revolt" (another legitimacy word!!).

Islamofacists started this based on the death of two kids fleeing from the police - the usual band of anarchists/socialists and other undesirables have joined in (everyone loves a party!!) - now the Media needs some sound bites and will accept any nonsense uttered by these thugs.

My solution?

[Clemenza]

Le Pen, he of the subpar IQ, got 28% in the runoff against Chirac, who got 72%. I wouldn't call that a close election.

[Irishguy]

no dude neithr would i.

but this is where he will make his play.

and also chirac only got 72% when the left and right agrred a pact to keep LePen out. he never expected to win but he wanted to show that a lot of french people are very unsettled with the direction of the country.

i am suprised he has not been more vocal to be honest, jeeze maybe he is dead for all i know!

[Irishguy]

LOL

nothing like a 'bit of ole painless' to help you sort your anger management issues out...