04/05/2012
Aznar, on Le Figaro: "I desire for France the same I do for Spain Madrid, 03.05.12.- Jos? Mar?a Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain and President of FAES Foundation, has declared in an article published by the French newspaper Le Figaro on May 3, that he desires for France the same I do for Spain: strong and prestigious institutions, a brave and integrating leadership, a thriving and competitive economy, and a feasible and united Welfare State. In his article, Aznar expresses his support for Nicol?s Sarkozy before the second round of the French presidential elections, which will take place next Sunday, May 6. In this sense, the former Prime Minister of Spain also points out that the measure of a politician's leadership is shown by the commitments he or she is prepared to accept. Read below Aznar's article: I desire for France the same I do for Spain, by Jos? Mar?a Aznar Throughout my political career I have had the opportunity of meeting and dealing with many leaders, but only some of them could be considered great leaders: men and women with a State vision, a patriotic sense of their responsibility and a remarkable capability to accept challenges. Standing out among them is Nicolas Sarkozy. I have known President Sarkozy for many years. Without arrogance, I am honoured by his friendship. I was a witness and, as a Spaniard, a direct beneficiary of his unyielding loyalty to the values that make democracies worthy and nations strong: law and liberty. I have seen him defend France's interests before European and world institutions with unflagging courage and tenacity. I know of his Europeanist commitment and his international leadership capability. If experience, seriousness, reliability and braveness are indispensable qualities in those who have the responsibility of steering a country's course, this is increased at times of serious crises and profound uncertainty. A few months ago, the King of Spain made Nicolas Sarkozy a Knight of the Golden Fleece, the highest decoration awarded by the Spanish Crown, for his constant, effective and generous contribution to the fight against ETA"s terrorist activities. Sarkozy has always been a very good friend of Spain. But, above all, ha has been and could still be a very good president of France. For the Spanish people, the strengthening of our friendship with this country and the extraordinary cooperation entailed by it are a sign of identity of his Presidency. Those of us who have had government responsibility are perfectly aware that no administration is perfect. It is always necessary to redirect the previous course, review what was done, weave new confidence networks with citizens. But here as well, experience counts. Nicolas Sarkozy has chartered France's course amidst a Europe in crisis with ambition and courage, with a political career that defies comparison. It is typical of difficult navigations to hear tempting and pleasant siren songs but, should they deceive and drag with them those who must steer the boat, the voyage will unavoidably end in failure. The economic crisis has no doubt made cracks on the European Union's cohesion and on the confidence on the future of the Eurozone's common institutions. But we are discovering a side of European integration to which, up to now, we had remained oblivious of. All European countries depend, to a large extent more than ever, on every European country. Each nation's luck depends on the decisions, attitudes and behaviour of the rest. This does not seem important to the populist demagogy on which the left deposits its trust to get out of its crisis. It has given loudspeakers to siren songs and also to radical attitudes. It insists on a discourse that voices a desire but conceals the most important matter: without responsible policies that help recover the basic balance of our economies, there will be no possibility to grow. On the contrary, we can trust that the door of growth will open, precisely, as a consequence of our capability to boost reforms and transmit credibility. The measure of a politician's leadership is shown by the commitments he or she is prepared to accept. And Nicolas Sarkozy is prepared to continue accepting a national commitment as the president of the Republic of France and a clear commitment with Europe and with France's central role in its future. As a Spaniard and European I am able to say that nothing French is alien to me. My admiration for French history, culture and language, for the Republic's institutions, for its values of equality and patriotism, are but an added motive deciding me to do this reflection. I desire for France the same I do for Spain: strong and prestigious institutions, a brave and integrating leadership, a thriving and competitive economy, and a feasible and united Welfare State. And it's only logical that I won't desire for France what I won't desire for Spain: demagogic or unrealistic discourses which end up generating citizen disenchantment and frustration; policies that may extend or even aggravate the negative economic cycles instead of correcting them; and strategies that encourage isolation and do little to reinforce the credibility and international influence of a country.