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04-24-08, 09:13 PM
UNPOPULAR French President Nicolas Sarkozy has admitted making mistakes during his first
year in office but has defended his record during a live prime time television interview.
A potent mix of economic difficulties and personal problems has combined to push Mr Sarkozy's
poll ratings to record lows for a president just 12 months into his term.
"Perhaps I did not explain myself enough, perhaps I made mistakes," Mr Sarkozy said at the start
of a 90-minute live interview aired on France's two leading television stations today.
The broadcast is seen as an attempt to regain momentum and boost popularity ratings.
Mr Sarkozy said circumstances had been against him, blaming global economic woes for some of
France's poor indicators.
"Since I was elected president, the price of oil has doubled ... the subprime crisis broke out ... and
the euro has reached unbelievable levels," he said.
One survey published in Paris Match magazine today showed 72 per cent of people were unhappy
with his performance, 65 per cent thought he hadn't kept campaign promises and just 17 per cent
thought he was better than his predecessors.
Leaving nothing to chance, Mr Sarkozy's team brought in special advisers to design the set for the
interview in the presidential palace, doing away with the usual gilded chairs and replacing them
with modernist furniture and subtle lighting.
(Wich costed "280 000" but will be payed by tvchannels....goood ! )
But image makeovers alone won't solve Mr Sarkozy's problems.
"Sarkozy has to reassure the French tonight and restore his credibility that has been eroded these
past months," said Stephane Zumsteeg, a director of IPSOS pollsters.
"He needs to show that his willingness to reform remains intact. The French want change, they
want reform," he told France Info radio today.
Perhaps Mr Sarkozy's biggest headache is the expectation that he can do something to improve the
economic outlook and increase household spending power at a time of global financial turmoil and
rising inflation.
Mr Sarkozy promised to be "the president of purchasing power" during the 2007 election campaign,
but the hoped-for economic boost failed to arrive and in January the president said he could do
nothing to help because state coffers were "empty".
The comment cost him dearly, undermining confidence in his ability to deliver on a raft of electoral
promises.
The president must also try to boost his credentials as a serious head of state after widespread
accusations that he was leading a celebrity lifestyle out of keeping with his office.
The president divorced last October and just weeks later married pop star Carla Bruni, raising
eyebrows in France, particularly amongst traditionally minded elderly voters.
He has since toned down the perceived excesses, but this has failed to boost his ratings.
Discord among ministers coupled with a series of missteps over issues ranging from family benefits
to ties with China have piled on the pressure.
The...News (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23596401-5005961,00.html)
year in office but has defended his record during a live prime time television interview.
A potent mix of economic difficulties and personal problems has combined to push Mr Sarkozy's
poll ratings to record lows for a president just 12 months into his term.
"Perhaps I did not explain myself enough, perhaps I made mistakes," Mr Sarkozy said at the start
of a 90-minute live interview aired on France's two leading television stations today.
The broadcast is seen as an attempt to regain momentum and boost popularity ratings.
Mr Sarkozy said circumstances had been against him, blaming global economic woes for some of
France's poor indicators.
"Since I was elected president, the price of oil has doubled ... the subprime crisis broke out ... and
the euro has reached unbelievable levels," he said.
One survey published in Paris Match magazine today showed 72 per cent of people were unhappy
with his performance, 65 per cent thought he hadn't kept campaign promises and just 17 per cent
thought he was better than his predecessors.
Leaving nothing to chance, Mr Sarkozy's team brought in special advisers to design the set for the
interview in the presidential palace, doing away with the usual gilded chairs and replacing them
with modernist furniture and subtle lighting.
(Wich costed "280 000" but will be payed by tvchannels....goood ! )
But image makeovers alone won't solve Mr Sarkozy's problems.
"Sarkozy has to reassure the French tonight and restore his credibility that has been eroded these
past months," said Stephane Zumsteeg, a director of IPSOS pollsters.
"He needs to show that his willingness to reform remains intact. The French want change, they
want reform," he told France Info radio today.
Perhaps Mr Sarkozy's biggest headache is the expectation that he can do something to improve the
economic outlook and increase household spending power at a time of global financial turmoil and
rising inflation.
Mr Sarkozy promised to be "the president of purchasing power" during the 2007 election campaign,
but the hoped-for economic boost failed to arrive and in January the president said he could do
nothing to help because state coffers were "empty".
The comment cost him dearly, undermining confidence in his ability to deliver on a raft of electoral
promises.
The president must also try to boost his credentials as a serious head of state after widespread
accusations that he was leading a celebrity lifestyle out of keeping with his office.
The president divorced last October and just weeks later married pop star Carla Bruni, raising
eyebrows in France, particularly amongst traditionally minded elderly voters.
He has since toned down the perceived excesses, but this has failed to boost his ratings.
Discord among ministers coupled with a series of missteps over issues ranging from family benefits
to ties with China have piled on the pressure.
The...News (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23596401-5005961,00.html)