France lacks orientation

The defeat of the governing UMP in France's regional elections shows that President Nicolas Sarkozy is unable to give his country orientation, writes the daily Le Soir. "In 2007 the president was elected with a new right-wing programme. His focus lay on buying power, security and immigration control. Now all his plans are all topsy-turvy. His promise of 'work more, earn more' has been snowed under by the crisis. Crime hasn't been reduced. ... The debates over immigration and national identity that were meant to pull the rug out from onder the extreme right Front National have had just the opposite effect. ... At a time when the French are being hit by a severe crisis they need a president who can unite the country. They need a president who gives them hope by showing them the light at the end of the tunnel. But Sarkozy and his crew don't seem to know themselves which direction to take."

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