The French-American Foundation Weekly Brief, February 4, 2011

Government spokesperson François Baroin announced on Wednesday, February 2, that the French administration was planning to propose an amendment to its constitution in the coming weeks to include the requirement of a balanced budget and would set a date for a return to fiscal balance, Reuters reported. Prime Minister François Fillon presented a preliminary proposal to the Ministerial Council the same day, calling for France’s commitment to a balanced budget to be included in the nation’s fundamental document, according to Boursier. The proposals to be presented to the National Assembly and discussed through the summer include the management of public finances and social security and the development of a framework through which the government will balance the budget on an annual basis. The Constitutional provision, already in place in neighboring Germany, aims to place France in line with European Union goals to have the nation’s deficit down to 6 percent of GDP in 2011 and eventually to the agreed-upon limit of 3 percent of GDP by 2013, according to AFP. The Constitutional provision is one of the financial aspects promoted in negotiations with Germany in the development of a greater “economic government” within the European Union, according to the Financial Times. An updated accord will aim to increase Europe’s competitiveness and also promote financial responsibility by member states, as the Union has faced the near meltdown of Greece and Ireland’s economies and continue to look on with uncertainty as Spain and Portugal attempt to overcome rising debts.

As unrest continued to sweep North Africa and the Middle East this week, France reacted through political gestures joining international movements to support popular movements against authoritarian regimes. As investigations into corruption by ousted Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali were led by international organizations, France seized a private jet belonging to the family of Ben Ali after foreign ministers from throughout the European Union agreed to freeze Ben Ali’s assets on Monday, January 31, BBC reported. At the request of Tunisia, the Swiss government has already frozen tens of millions of francs and an additional private jet. As attention shifted to Egypt this week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy released a statement on Wednesday, February 2, encouraging the Egyptian government to enter a political transition “without delay” and “without violence,” according to Le Parisien.

French Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie found herself under fire this week as the satirical journal, Le Canard Enchaîné, published on Wednesday, February 2, that MAM, as she’s popularly known in the French media, flew aboard a private jet owned in part by the brother-in-law of since-ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali while on vacation in late December, Rue 89 reported. Following the report, Socialist politicians and public opposition called for the foreign minister’s resignation. After offering logistical support to the authoritarian leader’s efforts to quash popular unrest as it developed, MAM faced strong criticism following the popular uprising that led Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia on January 14. As the article spurred further denouncements, Alliot-Marie defended herself the same day as the article’s release, saying the attacks she has faced in response to her relationship with the Tunisian government have become “ridiculous,” according to RFI. Alliot-Marie, who has taken a number of holidays in Tunisia, said she couldn’t be held accountable for being on holiday in a popular tourist destination for the French when the protests leading to the fall of the Tunisian government began. She further defended herself in public statements by ensuring that she paid all of her vacation costs and rode only on the jet as a matter of convenience after being offered by the jet’s co-owner, Tunisian businessman Aziz Miled, according to Reuters.

President Nicolas Sarkozy attended the 16th summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, briefly on Sunday, January 30, AFP reported. After meeting with Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi and Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, Sarkozy gave a speech outlining France’s goals for the presidency of the G20 and G8. Boasting a strong and emerging Africa, Sarkozy echoed support for a permanent spot for Africa on the UN Security Council, according to RFI. Sarkozy also used the platform to address the events in Tunisia and Egypt, reminding African leaders of the importance of democracy and human rights, asserting that the form of governance in Africa would have to evolve from the authoritarian regimes that have historically led many of the continent’s nations, Le Point reported.

Charles Beigbeder, the head of the city of Annecy’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, announced on Wednesday, February 2, that he had secured an additional €2.4 million from government bodies to bring the campaign’s total funds up to €21 million, AFP reported. Though Annecy is considered to be behind fellow contenders Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Munich, Germany, Beigbeder said he was confident the bid could win, making it the fourth French Alpine town to host a Winter Olympics, according to USA Today. The on-site visit, the first of three by the IOC selection committee, will begin on Monday, February 8, according to 20 Minutes. The IOC will announce the selected host city on July 6 in Durban, South Africa.