Just now he had the "Franco-German axis as fundamental" praised, there followed even the political Solo: With his surprise announcement, a tax on financial transactions without the EU decision in advance to introduce in France, has Nicolas Sarkozy , who on Monday Berlin on a working visit to Angela Merkel is expected, once again produced one of his fearsome solo efforts.
"Peace and friendship with Germany are a legacy that has left us the previous generations," the president had the year gesäuselt.Instead of coordinating with the Chancellor, dashed against Sarkozy: As soon as possible, preferably before the presidential elections in April, the tax on financial transactions in France are being rushed through. A decision might even "fall before the end of January in order to make an example", Sarkozy aide Henri Guaino. "Because a good part of the crisis goes back to the assessment of the financial industry," Finance Minister Francois Baroin seconded, "that is first a question of morality."
The pompous verbal packaging of the project obviously can not hide the fact that Sarkozy and his lone surprise action, the oft-cited coordination between Paris and Berlin tramples on, the greater integration of economic policies within the EU and euro-zone remains on track. In Berlin they took the maneuver so peeved with astonishment note. "The goal remains unchanged Germany the introduction of this tax within the EU," said government spokesman Steffen Seibert .
Two hours of EU summits, and rescue ailing €
Even without the odd one out, Paris is the agenda for the Monday meeting with Merkel already crowded enough: One hour "interview" and an hour "working lunch" should suffice for the preparation of the next EU summit, for questions on the implementation of the euro rescue package and discussions about the sagging euro.
Concerns continue to make the liquidity of Europe's major banks and the crisis in Greece, after the first five-billion-pending transfer of the international rescue plan was postponed to the end of March - but already are around 14.4 billion euros for Athens overdue principal debtor. And then on the periphery of the Euro-zone threatens the collapse of the Hungarian economy, its bonds were downgraded to just "junk paper".
Even Sarkozy is in a pickle: The nation is buffeted by recession, rising unemployment and a trade deficit of 75 billion €. Exports from France reached within the euro zone during the first nine months of last year, an average of only 12.6 percent - for Germany, the value, according to a study by the Institute COE Rexecode at 31.4 percent.
On top of that threat of imminent loss of the AAA credit rating, the rating agencies to assess since France's economic status rather negatively. In this case, any additional borrowing by the state would increase dramatically; a threatening scenario for a debt, which in 2012 reached expected to produce more than 88 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) before he will next year fall again - assuming that the budget deficit which reached the Maastricht-three percent of GDP mark compliance.
Bad news, bad image
The daily reports of bankruptcies Tatar, layoffs and possible bankruptcies ensure widespread pessimism - a discontent that has a negative effect especially on the image of Sarkozy. After a brief, spectacular increase its recognition is dropped back to 37 percent, 60 percent are dissatisfied with the head of state, according to a survey by pollsters CSA for the business newspaper "Les Echos".
"Trapped in his unpopularity, Nicolas Sarkozy is in a nightmarish situation," said Jerome Sainte-Marie, Director of Surveys at CSA. "He wants to as long as possible confined to his position as president and have to experience that it is precisely this role raises suspicion -. The Office refers directly to its balance sheet"
Three and a half months before the presidential elections to the liberation of thefinancial transaction tax show the head of state now than hands-on manager, as the leader who dares even to take on big business, even at the risk that suffer the attractiveness of the financial center in Paris under such a measure could - in favor of some of London.
DISPLAY
Such concerns, not to challenge the president. Also that he could risk destroying the supposedly harmonious relationship with Chancellor Merkel, apparently in view of the forthcoming election campaign recognized as unacceptable collateral damage. It is not only defends Berlin against Sarkozy's brainchild, in Brussels, too argues for a "concerted action". And Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said: "It is necessary that the various states to decide for themselves, not everyone on the application of that tax."
"France will not wait for the others agree," Sarkozy reiterated his lone campaigner decision in terms of transaction tax. "We will enforce it, because we believe in it."
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