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Sarkozy Is Europe's New Clinton

French PM scored with diplomatic charm offensive at EU summit

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2007 12:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy was the star of the EU’s constitutional summit last weekend, pulling victory from the jaws of defeat with a virtuoso diplomatic performance reminiscent of the former president. The new PM displayed what Der Spiegel called ‘Clintonesque ease’ in solving big problems, returning France to her traditional role as Europe’s diplomat.

Confronted with an impasse between the Germans and Poles, Sarkozy hustled tirelessly, with winning informality, at one point working a room holding the microphone "like a stand-up comedian,"  the paper reports. A quarrel between Dutch and Belgian leaders then threatened the summit; the French leader scolded the EU founders’ into a grumbling peace.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, shows a thumbs up to visitors, as he visits the 47th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, Saturday June 23, 2007. From left, Airbus chairman Louis Gallois, environment minister partly hidden Jean-Louis Borloo, Nicolas Sarkozy, Dassault chairman Charles Edelstenne, and Airbus Chief...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, shows a thumbs up to visitors, as he visits the 47th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, Saturday June 23, 2007. From left, Airbus chairman Louis Gallois,...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses aerospace industry professionals during his visit to the 47th International Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Saturday, June  23,  2007. (AP Photo/Pierre Verdy, Pool)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses aerospace industry professionals during his visit to the 47th International Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Saturday, June 23, 2007....   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy watches an air show during his visit to the 47th International Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Saturday, June  23,  2007. (AP Photo/Pierre Verdy, Pool)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy watches an air show during his visit to the 47th International Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Saturday, June 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Pierre Verdy,...   (Associated Press)
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