SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 22, 2012
The new French president, François Hollande, is already making headlines with his calls for measures to promote growth. But he won't have any real power unless the Socialists win the parliamentary election in June. If they don't, the result will be political deadlock -- a development that France and Europe can barely afford. By Mathieu von Rohr more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 18, 2012
During the election campaign, French President François Hollande threatened to slap an income tax rate of 75 percent on high earners. Since then, wealthy French have been looking for ways to get themselves and their money out of the country. And nowhere looks more attractive than millionaire-friendly London. By Marco Evers in London more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 17, 2012
According to German calculations, the new French president's call for an even lower retirement age and more public workers should not add up to economic growth. But despite violating established economic principles, the French economy works surprisingly well. By Christian Rickens more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 16, 2012
Just hours after his rain-soaked inauguration, new French President François Hollande flew to Berlin to meet with the German chancellor. The pair did all they could to exude amiability, but with Hollande now intent on fulfilling his myriad campaign promises, it remains to be seen how long the congeniality will last. By Severin Weiland in Berlin more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 15, 2012
François Hollande, sworn in as French president on Tuesday, will have no time to savor the moment. He will dash to Berlin to challenge Angela Merkel's austerity policy on Tuesday evening. Then he has to form a cabinet and honor his pledge to cut ministerial salaries. He urgently needs to score successes ahead of parliamentary elections in June. By Stefan Simons in Paris more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 14, 2012
Despite his anti-austerity rhetoric on the campaign trail and her open support for Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande and Angela Merkel are expected to make compromises during their first meeting on Tuesday. In the euro crisis, the pair has no choice but to get along. By Ralf Neukirch and Mathieu von Rohr more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 07, 2012
Chancellor Merkel's fear that Socialist candidate François Hollande might win the French election came true on Sunday. While their differing politics have some warning of difficult French-German relations to come, German editorialists argue Monday that the pragmatic politicians will make it work. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 07, 2012
On the night of his victory, France's new president seemed exhausted and overwhelmed by the size of his task. François Hollande has little time to master the transition from candidate to president. He faces important tests at home and abroad, including finding a way to get along with Angela Merkel. By Mathieu von Rohr in Paris more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 06, 2012
The French chose François Hollande because he promised to be a different president than Nicolas Sarkozy. He just won one of the most difficult jobs on earth: to reform France. To succeed he will have to disappoint many of his supporters. But Hollande is a pragmatist, not an ideologue -- and this might even help him to bond with Angela Merkel. An Analysis By Mathieu von Rohr in Tulle, France more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 04, 2012
New polls indicate that the gap between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and frontrunner François Hollande is narrowing. But most still expect the Socialist challenger to emerge victorious on Sunday. German commentators say that Hollande still has a lot to learn -- and the sooner he does, the greater the clout he will have in Europe. more...
