French Presidential Campaign Intensifies

Latest polls show French President Sarkozy is losing ground to right-wing anti-euro candidate Marine Le Pen in the first round of the France presidential election. Via Google translate, please consider Le Pen and Bayrou Back

French elections are done in two rounds. The top two candidates by popular vote square off in round two. Things do not look good for French president Nicolas Sarkozy, especially for round two. However, he may not make it that far.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy delivered an ultimatum to the EU on immigration, complete with a "Buy European Act" and a threat to suspend the Schengen Agreement that allows passport-free travel among 25 European nations. Hollow Threat for Political Reasons or the Real Deal?

Does it really matter who wins the French presidential election between socialist François Hollande and incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy? What about the race in the US between President Obama and Mitt Romney? Let's discuss those questions one at at time. Does it Matter if Hollande Beats Sarkozy? In spite of alleged differences, both candidates are in support of Eurobonds, both candidates want immigration controls, both candidates want the ECB to be more proactive, both candidates want to protect French farms from import threats.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy is campaigning on a pledge to consult people directly on "significant issues". However, despite trailing in polls, Sarkozy refuses to agree to referendum on EU fiscal treaty. Mr Sarkozy, who is trailing the socialist François Hollande in opinion polls seven weeks before the presidential election, came under pressure to promise a referendum on the pact after he pledged to consult the people directly on significant issues if re-elected.

Echoing sentiment that should be widely-held but unfortunately is not German central bank president  Jens Weidmann says Not ECB's Job to Tackle Spain's Problems. Spain should take a rise in its bond yields as a spur to tackle the root causes of its debt woes, not look to the European Central Bank to help by buying its bonds, European Central Bank policymaker Jens Weidmann told Reuters.

French president-elect François Hollande has launched a preemptive attack blaming outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy for the huge budget deficit of France. Given Hollande wants to tax millionaires 75%, I find it quite ironic that Hollande blames the problem on "hidden taxes" of Sarkozy. Please consider Brussels raises alert over French deficit