Where Are We Again, Monsieur Le President?
World leaders doing the rounds in their own nations often look more than a little bemused. Nicolas Sarkozy on the other hand, was caught out this week for apparently redrawing the borders of his own country. Denouncing German economic competition, he spoke incorrectly of being in Germany, though he was only in the eastern province of Alsace. Let’s be hoping your French property insurance covers the rancid tomatoes you’re going to find on your doorstep eh, Nicolas?.
President Sarkozy has never enjoyed a particularly strong relationship with his rural voters, and this latest pratfall happened while he was attempting to gain some support from them. It is apparent that Sarkozy probably didn’t mean that he believed that Alsace was a German region, as the phrasing of the remark was clearly a slip of the tongue. Though he said ‘I’m not saying that simply because I’m in Germany’, in context, he was speaking about how German farming was in opposition to Alsace. But the geographical issue is something of a sore wound historically. French and German armies didn’t exactly coast into Alsace and take out insurance for holiday homes. Prior to the 17th Century, Alsace had been a part of the Holy Roman Empire, one of Germany’s many precursors. The french annexed it, but lost it in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Both World Wars saw the territory yo-yo between France and Germany.
Today, Alsace is obviously a stable region with a beautiful rural character. It’s also a major tourist region, with foreigners regularly purchasing property and holiday cottage insurance. But with German annexation within the lifetime of some senior Alsatians, it is understandable that this slip of the tongue could cause offence. Hostility for either Germany or France is not something you’ll find in Alsace, despite his chequered history. Many towns have German names, and the Alsatian language is considered a German offshoot. Perhaps instead, the greatest offence lies in the fact that if they’re German, they’re not Alsatian.
The French Empire
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Torre & Tagus Poodle Ceramic Salt and Pepper Set $9.99 2 by 3 inches for this set of a black and a white poodle shaker, and 2.75 inches high. Adorable touch of ‘Frenchiness’ in your kitchen or on the table!… |
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The Man Called Flintstone $4.90 One of the odder bits of pop culture cross-pollination from the 1960s, The Man Called Flintstone thrusts Fred Flintstone into the spy game for a feature-length animated musical adventure that’s probably best appreciated by die-hard fans of the modern stone-age family. Released to theaters immediately after the network series left the air in 1966, Flintstone reunites the vocal cast from its final t… |
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Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) [Blu-ray] $83.95 Relive the unforgettable moments and experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS The Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six Episodes together for the frst time in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With over 40 hours of thrilling special features, including all-new content created exclusively for this rele… |
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French Empire Crystal Chandelier Lighting H30 X W24 100% CRYSTAL CHANDELIER, this chandelier is characteristic of the grand chandeliers which decorated the finest Chateaux and Palaces across Europe and reflects a time of class and elegance which is sure to lend a special atmosphere in every home. This item comes with 18 inches of chain. SIZE: W.24 X H.30″ 9 LIGHTS. Lightbulbs not included… |
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Hand-tufted French Empire Orange Floral Wool Rug (7’3 x 9’3) $175.09 This rug sets new standards of quality and clarity for hand-tufted, hand-carved wool carpets. Handsome designs in orange, burgundy, green, and pink colors ensure this rug can offer the right fashion choice for any decorating preference. |
