A French Leftist Ritual Takes On Sarkozy

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



A French Leftist Ritual Takes On Sarkozy

Posted on Sep 8, 2010
By William Pfaff


PARIS—This week has seen the annual ritual by which the left in France marks summer’s end and the resumption of politics as usual. This ritual is a general strike called by the left, whenever a rightist government is in power.

Competitive claims are made concerning how many marched Tuesday in denunciation of President Nicolas Sarkozy and his government. Buses mostly ran; the Metro mostly did not. Letters were undelivered. The weather was mild, and a boring and noisy time was had by nearly all, especially those who took the day off and didn’t waste it marching. The French predilection for marches and demonstrations bemuses foreigners, and frequently annoys them because of the inconveniences caused. It is playtime revolution, but nonetheless very serious.

This year, the main issue was the character, personality, activity, policies and ultimate failure of Sarkozy—denounced with enthusiasm by most of the demonstrators.

Sarkozy is a strange fellow, for a politician. He doesn’t search for popularity or love. He has constantly skirted the risk of making people hate him for his arrogance, brashness and material ambition (one of his first acts as president was to more than double the presidential salary—if only up to general European standards of income, but it was the gesture that counted). .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/a_french_leftist_ritual_takes_on_sarkozy_20100908/

[struggle4progress]

1. I shouldn't consider "ritual" the proper description: the strike is a demonstration of opposition

organization

Pfaff's choice of dismissive language to describe the unions ("... boring and noisy ... playtime ... ") and his laud for Sarkozy (" ... active ... the most successful ... ") are probably revealing