Sarkozy has been defeated

Going back to POGS remark, politics is circular, so the extreme left is not much different from the extreme right. Always worth remembering that, I feel.

I was listening to a discussion on a news channel today and analysts were agreeing that the mix of Merkel and Hollande could prove to be successful - a Paris/left and Berlin/right mix is seen to be full of possibilities. Merkel has proved herself several times over - she holds a strong line and is not diverted by the mavericks that have been knocking about over the last few years. The way she managed Berlusconi was clever - he was a complete embarrasment to the EU and she would benignly smile and wait for him to stop posturing, then get on with her agenda. A strong woman with plenty of substance!

Sorry but can anyone tell me if Hollande is/was the substitute candidate after that financier with the zipper problem withdrew from the political french scene?

I don't think DSK was ever officially the presidential candidate but was the front runner to be selected.

So, do they 'belong' to the same political party/group?

So today saw the F.TS.E , CAC AND DAX drop badly. I have never heard any arguement as to what would happen if Germany said. 'You know what, stick the Euro where the sun don't shine maties'. 'We are going back to the deutschmark, bye bye' .

I think the Germans must be fed up of bailing out the others and there is only so much they will take. As for Hollande he has laid down the gauntlet to Britain and will go for the Tobin Tax to be put in place. I hope Cameron is strong enough to say no or the government could finally get a backbench rebellion. I think Hollande is a little naughty saying Britain does'nt care about the euro when we have given billions so far in helping to prop up , what I beleive to be a dying currency in it's original form. Greece has had such severe austerity put in place they are dying as a nation but to say we don't want any austerity but stay in the euro is like a child saying it wants its cake and eats it.

There could be dark days ahead.

Afraid the French have always "hated" us since we, with the help of the Americans,liberated them in WW11..dont get me wrong I love aspects of France & the French, but I think they are jealous of certain aspects of our life ie the Royal Family etc.

The Germans are afraid of having a strong Deutsch Mark which would make ther exports dearer. I think that Hollande won't make much of an impression. The fact that he wants all the contracts rediscussed and signed again, show that either he is very naive, or that he lied to get voted in.

Sorry, pammygran, I don't agree with that at all. I live in Normandy and I find the way the French honour the memory of the Allied soldiers who died round here very touching. They are quite interested in the royal family (not all), but I don't think they would want a royal family of their own, they are proud of being republicans.
I think Hollande has made a good start and I don't see any evidence of naivety, quite the reverse.

And I think their animosity towards us dates back long before WWII.....!

Agreed, anagram - and with good reason, too.

I have yet to experience any animosity from the French, only interesting conversations on the English/French relationship.