Hyperactive, overbearing and unpredictable. Such was the damning verdict many European neighbors had unofficially rendered about President Nicolas Sarkozy as France took over the presidency of the European Union in July.
But three months later, the very characteristics that made British and German officials cringe have proved effective, even essential, in forging a swift European response to two major crises: the Georgia-Russia war and the ongoing global financial turmoil.
As one grudgingly admiring German diplomat put it, speaking anonymously because of the delicacy of the subject, “In a time of crisis, hyperactive becomes energetic, overbearing becomes dogged, and unpredictable becomes pragmatic.”
Sarkozy, Europe’s longtime enfant terrible, is on a roll – even if partly by accident.
Read it all.
Sarkozy winning over his EU colleagues
Hyperactive, overbearing and unpredictable. Such was the damning verdict many European neighbors had unofficially rendered about President Nicolas Sarkozy as France took over the presidency of the European Union in July.
But three months later, the very characteristics that made British and German officials cringe have proved effective, even essential, in forging a swift European response to two major crises: the Georgia-Russia war and the ongoing global financial turmoil.
As one grudgingly admiring German diplomat put it, speaking anonymously because of the delicacy of the subject, “In a time of crisis, hyperactive becomes energetic, overbearing becomes dogged, and unpredictable becomes pragmatic.”
Sarkozy, Europe’s longtime enfant terrible, is on a roll – even if partly by accident.
Read it all.