At Last: Realism In France
By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Foreign Affairs — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Any more such straight talk and France may actually be in danger of righting its domestic situation. Would that other countries had this problem:
France is bankrupt and can no longer afford to pay its workers generous salaries and subsidies, its prime minister has declared.
Francois Fillon made the undiplomatic outburst during a trip to the French island of Corsica, where farmers were demanding more government money.
"I am at the head of a state that is in a position of bankruptcy," he said.
"I am at the head of a state that for 15 years has been in chronic deficit. I am at the head of a state that has not once passed a balanced budget in 25 years. This can't go on."
Mr Fillon's government is due to announce the 2008 budget this week with a deficit of €41.5billion (£29billion).
A variety of explanations are given for Fillon's periodic outbursts. I prefer to think and hope that the governing explanation revolves around the fact that French leaders finally recognize the need for their country to engage in serious reforms.
Perhaps eventually, I shall be disappointed. But wouldn't it be wonderful if I turn out to be right?
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At Last: Realism In France 2 Comments (0 topical, 2 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
President Bush laid it all out last year. The voters weren't listening.
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Can we have some of that frank talk here too? I'd love to hear one of our candidates finally state thats its not the government's job to do everyone for you!