Sarkozy: National Politics

Andree Martine Dept: We were dazzled by Sarkozy in 2007, he seemed like something that was fresh and invigorating in national politics, says Andree Martine, a real-estate agent who runs a business club in Neuilly. This year, I don t know anyone who s voting, because they really believe even people who work closely with Sarko it s only a matter of choosing the least-offensive option. , according to Globe and Mail. This election has become a referendum on Mr. Sarkozy not so much on his policies, which have been modestly successful on their own terms amid a calamitous economic period, but on his character and personality and yet the general mood here, as in much of France, is one of disillusionment and alienation from political leaders. The excitement that brought Mr. Sarkozy to office five years ago, even the bright novelty delivered back then by his opponent and Mr. Hollande s ex-wife Sene Royal, is utterly missing from this election. Polls show a slight lead in Sunday s first-round election for Mr. Hollande, a long-time Socialist Party insider. That vote will narrow the 10-candidate slate down to two, almost certain to be Mr. Sarkozy and Mr. Hollande, who will then face off on May 6. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.