French election 2012: Nicolas Sarkozy ‘laying trap’ for Francois Hollande

But his main aim, says Rozès, is to “present the election as a referendum for
or against Sarkozy” in order to become the focal point of the campaign.
“Right now, François Hollande holds that post”.

In essence Sarkozy is “laying a trap for Francois Hollande,” says Rozès.

“If the Socialist candidate enters into this game of anti-Sarkozyism, he will
lose the election.”

That tactic is precisely what led to the downfall of Lionel Jospin, the
Socialist candidate in 2002 who was knocked out by National Front leader
Jean-Marie Le Pen in round one by basing his campaign on an anti-Chirac
ticket. Support for Jospin plummeted after he called Chirac “tired,
exhausted and passive” and a man who had “lost much of his energy and
drive”. The comment was duly condemned as an ageist “cheap shot” by Mr
Chirac.

“It happened to Segolene Royal who lost in 2007 by attacking Nicolas Sarkozy
frontally. We are not in the United States. That strategy doesn’t work. »

If my memory is correct, Hollande acknowledges that Jospin lost for precisely
this reason, so he is hardly likely to fall for it.

Indeed, his reaction today was wary to say the least. “Frankly, if I may say
so, it’s his freedom and and that of the French to decide.”

Hollande is acutely aware that his popularity is largely down to massive
rejection of his main rival. One poll this month suggested 60 per cent of
French intending to vote for Hollande not because of his policies but
because they can no longer stand the sight of Sarkozy.

That leaves Hollande with a huge potential Achilles heel, but for Sarkozy to
get the chance to strike at it he must first divorce Sarkozy the man from
Sarkozysm, his political agenda. Given the mass enmity for the man, that is
a tall order.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes