A campaign to reshape France
As the presidential race enters its final weeks, both candidates and international observers see France reclaiming its global role and relevance.
from the April 4, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Wanted: Leader of a proud nation
Internationally, France has long "punched above its weight," as the saying goes. After World War II, Charles de Gaulle took great pains to push France to a leadership position beyond its capacity.
Yet the dramatic French "no" on Iraq marked a turning point, experts agree. The US spent three years blocking French initiatives. The US House cafeteria served up "freedom fries." Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spoke disparagingly of "Old Europe."
France, indeed, didn't have the strength to fight back. Then, a 2005 referendum in which France said no to the European constitution further threw its relevance into question. France had traditionally held special influence through its ability to lead Europe. But the EU "no" curtailed its role, and Germany began to develop greater economic depth through its relations with Eastern European states that became manufacturing centers.
The combination of Iraq, the EU referendum, and the rioting in 2005 led to a discourse of self-criticism and doubt about the future.
This "malaise" has become a major topic in the presidential campaign, which has in recent weeks shifted from its original focus on economic recovery and jobs toward symbols of patriotism and the question of French identity – with the president's role as defender of a proud nation at a time of social uncertainty.
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