By PETER ALLEN
|
Francois Hollande's first official day as French president descended into farce today when he was soaked on the Champs Elysee and then his plane was hit by lightning.
The 57 year-old was inaugurated in a simple ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, nine days after defeating the conservative Nicolas Sarkozy in a nationwide election.
But then everything started to go downhill for the committed Socialist who has styled himself as an 'enemy' of the world of finance.
During a 'triumphant' drive up France's most famous avenue the heavens opened, and he was soaked in front of a live audience of millions.
Drenched: Francois Hollande at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris after his inauguration in Paris (left) while his partner Valerie Trierweilier looked effortlessly chic (right) even as her dress gaped open
Then, a few hours later, his plane was hit by lightning as he flew to Berlin for a crisis meeting about the imploding Eurozone with German chancellor Angela Merkel.
It meant that the presidential jet had to return to Paris, where Hollande had to transfer to a stand-by aircraft.
'The first plane was hit by lightning,' said an Elysee spokesman. 'It turned back for safety reasons. Now the president has left again.'
Earlier, as Hollande poked his head out of the sunroof of a Citroen DS5, heavy rain started to pour, and there was no effort made to pull back the sunroof.
It meant that the seventh president of France's Fifth Republic - a man holding the second most powerful executive position on earth after the US president - was soon soaking wet.
'He looks like he has been swimming in his suit,' said Genevieve Bernard, a 22-year-old Socialist Party activist who was among those lining the Champs Elysee.
'It is so sad, because today should be a day of triumphant for Mr Hollande. He has so much to offer the country, but the drive was embarrassing.'
Hollande intends to reform France by increasing taxes by up to 75 per cent, and by pouring millions into public services.
His left-wing agenda saw Mr Sarkozy warn that Hollande will 'bankrupt the country' within a few months.
Austerity drive: The Socialist president toured the capital in an open topped Peugeot after the ceremony at the Elysee Palace
Washout: Mr Hollande had a huge security detail and the roads at the centre of the French capital had been cleared
Air France One: To add to Mr Hollande's woes his plane was hit by lightning as he flew to Germany for a meeting with Angela Merkel
But today Mr Sarkozy was left to exit the Elysee with his former supermodel wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
The pair looked subdued and tired as they marched up a red carpet hand-in-hand and clambered into a waiting car.
Ms Bruni-Sarkozy, who has pledged to revive her career as a pop singer, was wearing a black trouser suit and the now trademark pumps which she wears to reduce the five inch height difference between her and Mr Sarkozy.
On being sworn in, Mr Hollande, France's first Socialist head of state for 17 years, immediately turned his attention to Europe, urging others to reform the European 'fiscal pact'.
'I will propose to my European partners a pact that ties the necessary reduction of deficit to the indispensable stimulation of the economy,' said Mr Hollande.
Austerity leader: France's President Francois Hollande leads from the front in a Citroen DS5 hybrid during his parade
President Francois Hollande shakes hands with veterans during a ceremony to the Unknown soldier at Arc de Triomphe
France's newly-elected President Francois Hollande arrives for the handover ceremony
It was in Germany this afternoon that Mr Hollande's real work started, when he met Chancellor Angela Merkel - a Sarkozy ally and the de facto creator of the European Union's fiscal austerity pact.
Mr Hollande has vowed to refocus European economic policy on growth by re-opening talks on a fiscal pact agreed in March that aims to control European debt by enshrining greater budget discipline.
Ms Merkel has repeatedly insisted since Mr Hollande's election that the agreement, signed by 25 of the 27 EU countries and already ratified in some, is not open to renegotiation
As the political situation in Greece stagnates because of its failing economy, the heads of Europe's two largest economies will be keen to reassure worried markets they can work together.
After an hour-long delay, the two leaders faced a press conference tonight in Berlin.
The chancellor insisted the meeting was 'not a decision-making summit, just a get to know you,' ahead of further talks later this month.
But they both stated their commitment to keep Greece in the EU.
Mrs Merkel said: 'We talked about Greece. We agree on that. We wish to have Greece in the Euro. And we know the majority of Greeks agree.'
Mr Hollande added: 'Our duty is to ensure Greece remains in eurozone, important for all, we must stick to obligation to pull Greece through recession.'
Alllies: German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes French president Francois Hollande at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin
Warm welcome: The new French president was received in Germany by Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and an honour guard, before the pair sat down for talks
Problems: Talks between the two leaders are expected to be dominated by Europe's debt crisis
No comments:
Post a Comment
Cakaplah apa saja yang benar asalkan tidak menghina sesiapa