A President in Love

True to form, Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday gave everyone a story: his relationship with the Italian singer and former model Carla Bruni is serious and wedding plans are in the offing. He made a point out of being open about a relationship, which breaks a long tradition of French leaders keeping their love lives out of the public domain. His duty was not to indulge in sham and hypocrisy, but to reveal the true state of his feelings. A president abandoned by his ex-wife had now become a president in love - all within the space of three months.

This is not how the rest of France is inclined to interpret the manic activity of their president. Irritated by the frequency with which the publicity-seeking couple jetted off to romantic locations on the banks of the Nile or the temples of Petra, New Year thoughts at home turned instead to grittier matters such as empty wallets, rising food costs, rents and energy bills. The president's approval ratings slumped to 48% as a result. True, they could not be expected to stay in the high 70s for the rest of his presidency, but the abrupt change of mood is a warning nonetheless.

Seven months after his triumphal entry to the Elysée, which of the long recital of promised reforms has President Sarkozy actually delivered? It is a fair question. The list is growing: reforming the pension system, the health service, universities, schools, ending the 35-hour week, boosting growth, cutting unemployment, promoting a greener environment and sustainable development. All this still lies ahead.

Last year Mr Sarkozy promised an economic revolution. It is not surprising that no one can yet see or feel the benefit of change, but he should at least have started to spell out what is going to change, how, and when. Instead people see a president gallivanting around with an attractive woman in exotic locations far from the reach of families struggling to pay their monthly bills. Giving a bleak assessment of the French economy - growth below 2%, inflation above it, record trade deficit, no drop in unemployment - Le Monde has pronounced him an emperor without clothes.

Yesterday Mr Sarkozy dropped another ingredient into the ragoût of his reform program. He called it the politics of civilization, or "how to put people back at the heart of politics" and "make change indispensable to the needs of society". This is as mystifying in French as it is in English. It may be exactly what France or indeed any post-industrial economy needs to combat the cultural erosion of globalisation. But without being grounded in any practical measure, it is a phrase left floating in midair. Mr Sarkozy should get on instead with the humbler, less flashy task of governing.