"The project please" was my first editorial on atlantico on 1 March 2011. The first in a long series of Tuesday editorials. Rereading it in the light of today's events reveals a dizzying degree of 'political constancy'! Some passages were even almost premonitory. It also shows that surprises are always possible (mention of DSK at the end!).
Nicolas Sarkozy was an excellent candidate in the presidential election because he had energy, certainly, ideas, too, sincerity in his desire to do things and to do them better, certainly, but also, politically and in the media, because he set the agenda, because he launched new subjects when others were still commenting on the previous ones.
Nicolas Sarkozy was always one step ahead, but now he is often one step behind.
This latest reaction (February 2011 reshuffle: Juppé at the Quai d'Orsay, Longuet at Defence, Guéant at the Interior) is interesting and promising, with a highly experienced and recognised trio of Juppé-Guéant-Longuet, but a decision that comes as a reaction (resignation of Michèle Alliot-Marie) when it would undoubtedly have been preferable to propose it 3 months ago. Basically, one of the main criticisms that can be made of government policy, as with business management, is the lack of vision and strategic plan.
Many initiatives, certainly many reforms, but for what convergence? The recovery plan at the time boasted of having launched 1000 projects, but 1000 projects do not make one.
However, the left should not be so quick to rejoice in these governmental ups and downs. Nothing is worse than devaluing political action and its representatives. And from this point of view, the war of leaders that the left-wing parties have been waging for a long time and which is resurfacing with the Socialist primaries is undoubtedly not without its critics, given that egos seem to take precedence over projects. Secondly, times are changing, and have changed a great deal since the last time the left came to power. It would be presumptuous to assume that no left-wing minister would be pushed around by the media and Facebook tomorrow. What would have been the consequences in 2011 of the contaminated blood affair or Roland Dumas' Berluti shoes? The new times, and the new media, are imposing themselves on politicians.
As for the criticisms of the failure to anticipate the revolts in the Arab countries, French diplomacy has certainly made a few blunders in recent weeks, but who can predict the day and the hour of the people's revolt? When it happens, it's like trivial pursuit: when the answer is given, everyone knows. They say that things weren't anticipated, which is great. After all, what are we complaining about? At a time when everything is supposedly controlled and manipulated, yes, there are spontaneous movements, and when they come together like democratic tsunamis, nothing can contain them. Who today can predict the uprising of the Iranians, the Chinese working class, the North Koreans or the Ivorians against their two presidents?
Perhaps the good news is that the French still attach a great deal of importance to France's image and still want political leaders who live up to their expectations. These men perceived as providential do exist, as was the case with Nicolas Sarkozy, Barak Obama and now perhaps Dominique Strauss-Kahn. It is to be hoped that they will demonstrate this more in office than on the campaign trail. If it is increasingly difficult to believe in them, it would be devastating to get used to no longer believing in them.
A disillusioned society, without desire, will desperately be a society without a project.