An Analysis of the French General Election （Zhang Jinling）

Abstract：After Francois Holland was inaugurated president of France in May 2012, public skepticism about his government centered on the following three aspects: revision of EU’s Fiscal Compact, measures to rejuvenate the economy, the likelihood of “shared governance between the right and left”.Taken as a whole, Hollander’s proposed incorporation of a clause of economic growth into the Fiscal Compact is an emphasis on the obligation of “mutual help” on the basis of “restraint” among the Euro zone countries,which may entail an addition of an auxiliary provision to the treaty. But there is misconception in the economic governance plan as outlined by Hollander in his presidential campaign. His plan of increasing public spending is unlikely to be an impetus to stimulate domestic consumption and boost its economic growth. Such a purely public expenditure though very important in a period of flagging economy with an emphasis on promoting national interest, is not the most popular alternative that may gain public support but end up imposing an extra burden on French economy.  In view of the drift of public opinion in the presidential election Hollander should have a clear assessment of the likelihood of shared governance between the right and left in the future.

IES Innovation Project Briefing，No. 5, 2012.