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Nicolas Sarkozy’s wayward 23-year-old son is being positioned as overseer of a multibillion-dollar overhaul of Paris' "Midtown Manhattan." Eric Pape on Europe’s nepotism scandal.
Dear Jean,
So you’re 23. The economy sucks. You’re foundering in school; in fact, you have to redo your second year of legal studies after requiring two stabs to complete the first year. Like many unfocused students, you might joke that you are on the eight-year undergrad plan. You’ve even dabbled in acting.
But you’ve got things in your favor, like great shoulder-length hair and a lot of energy. You have plenty in common with Daddy, at least superficially—the way you look, speak, and gesticulate, among other things—but you’re way better looking, and blond.
Oh, and your dad happens to be France’s workaholic president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and that’s where opportunity begins. You could follow him into the family business, use the Sarkozy name as a battering ram to power, and ape your father’s tactics and paths on all fronts. You could even create a powerful political alliance with dad…
Plenty of disconcerted French people fear that the charming Jean Sarkozy’s surreal political rise over the last two years suggests just such a strategy. After all, there aren’t precedents for a struggling young law student to become a top political figure in France’s most influential rich conservative bastion, as “Sarko Junior” is doing, thanks to his father’s strong political brand and his diamond-grade Rolodex.
If his pending gig at La Defense is confirmed in December, Jean will be outpacing his father’s early ascent; Sarkozy became mayor of Neuilly at the age of 28.
This week it became clear that the Sarkozys’ many political allies have opened the way for Jean’s all-but-certain election as president of the public development agency that will oversee a multibillion-dollar overhaul of La Defense, the sprawling financial district full of banking and corporate offices just beyond the northwestern edge of Paris. France’s “Midtown Manhattan” is not merely the workplace of 150,000 employees at the offices and headquarters of some of Europe’s largest corporations; it is a multi-billion-euro financial nexus. The position at La Defense is unpaid, but extremely high profile—perfect for a political up-and-comer looking to develop influential relationships and stack up chits to cash in later. (No wonder Nicolas retained his place atop La Defense’s developmental authority until 2007—when he was elected president of France.)
Jean can also schmooze corporate France as head of the conservative majority on the powerful county council in France’s wealthiest geographic department. He can access the power elite at his dad’s workplace (the Elysee Palace) and also through his young wife, Jessica Sebaoun, an heiress to the Darty electronics empire. Yes, the path to Jean’s future appears to be lined with gold, in more ways than one.
Not since George W. Bush’s youth has the political future seemed so bright for such a bumbling student. Jean’s meteoric launch began in his father's political fiefdom, when he was elected to the county council by residents of the leafy, rich Parisian suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. (Nicolas was, incidentally, long the mayor of Neuilly, and his rise to the presidency was based in large part on relations developed there.) After just three months on the council, Jean was propelled to the leadership of its right-wing majority. If his pending gig at La Defense is confirmed in December, Jean will be outpacing his father’s early ascent; Sarkozy became mayor of Neuilly at the age of 28.
France has for centuries prided itself on being a meritocracy, so many people are now mocking the prospect of a presidential spawn who craves to outdo his father on their dime, which is how many here saw George W. Bush’s political career. In the nation that long ago guillotined its royal family, the reaction to Prince Jean, as the British press dubbed him, has been biting. On Twitter, the "#jeansarkozypartout" (jeansarkozyeverywhere) hashtag has taken off, with hundreds of suggestions for—and rumors about—the young man’s stunning potential: Jean Sarkozy will replace Ban Ki-moon as head of the U.N.; Jean will coach France's beloved national soccer team; he will model for the next bust of the female French national figure, Marianne; he has asked Pope Benedict to step down so that he can replace the old man.
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AnemosUK
I feel you are been unfair to young Jean Sarkozy, after all in a Democracy people will decide who they vote for, and I dont think France or Europe is USA that we vote a President because of his name or his daddy's influence, if Jean is good he will be accepted, if not he will be rejected, all your writing is plain simple sour grapes,
eroteme
It is not democracy in action at all. The candidate is put forward by the party bigwigs who as in America, control who gets on the ticket, and then the 'election' is more like a council vote by elected members who are all loyal party hacks and will vote on party lines. Think of it more like a business where Daddy (as Chairman of the Board) calls in all his owed favours to the board of directors and gets them to 'elect' his son on the board as CEO.
This happens a lot in the US - right now Joe Biden is ensuring he has enough favors and clout in the Delaware state Democrats to ensure that his son is the Democrat candidate for his Senate seat. With Delaware being strongly blue, it is unlikely that once Biden junior is anointed he will lose. But the rank and file members of the party have had no say at all in his selection and the voters will be presented with no choice - democracy it is not although the spin doctors will say it is.
Grenouille
I don't blame someone for being the son of someone who is good at something or who is famous. In fact, I sometimes pity them. But can't we just stop making things so easy for the W's and the Jean Sarkozys to rise, unless they really earn it from the start?
djanimaequeen
Don't do it France. Look what happened to us with Bush II. You should learn from our mistakes.
crymeariver
LOL!
ManchaTheo
i'm surprised anyone has yet to make a massively bigoted comment dissing france and generalizing us to nothing more than a bunch of corrupt socialist fiends...
but yeah Sarko's definitely going too far here; although i'm sure e'd rather Jean did this rather than try produce rap like his brother...
Dan100
@ManchaTheo - I suspect, given America's blatant history and even recent experiences of political nepotism (George Bush Jr, Joe Biden Jr, Caroline Kennedy, Hilary Clinton, etc), Americans are in no position to be passing criticism to France on this one.
I do think, however, people do perceive an extra dose of irony in French nepotism, given France's gratitous use of the guillotine during the revolution which was obviously inspired in part by the desire to free the French public from political leaders who derived their right to rule from their family lineage.
zizanie
Dan100, and that very desire to end the rights to power through family lineage is exactly why this is a stunningly tone-deaf sign from the hard working papa Sarkozy, who talks up merit and hardwork. Should know better.
mcmchugh99
Didn't he play in Bon Jovi or one of the other 1980s Hair Bands?
Frenchmanaz
How often do I get to chime in on a subject related to my paternal nation =).
Let's put some clarity on this, if you think American politicians are bad, they have nothing on the French when something of this nature unfolds.
It seems ridiculous to send such a young man into such a high position, however, while he obviously doesn't need the money, let us remember that there is no pay.
However, while Jean might be young one must keep in mind that supporters are going to see him in this position as a plus. Honestly, playing in this league, Jean is going to be very much a bit player playing on a field with some very big dogs.
However, those big dogs are going to quite happy to play along because an audience with Jean, will be an audience with his Father. I actually believe this is a very smart move, because, provide Nikolas has the best interests of France and La Defense, then this will make the decision making process that much more fluid.
Rest assured the if Jean proves incompetent the French will hoist him out faster than you can say non. Keep in mind that, as the author clarifies, La Defense is sacrosanct in terms of it's importance to France and Paris and they ain't going to let it turn into a circus just to keep Nikolas happy.
Last point is Nikolas wants France to be led by young blood, he is trying to oust the old stuffed shirts, his prince of a son is no different that the various offspring of the King of Monaco. Look how that turned out...very well.
I might have to eat my words but ont vera =)
Dan100
@Frenchmanaz: I think your theory only works when the best interests of France per se, and o f La Defense are one and the same. I am sure you would concede that what may be in the best interests of the Parisian business elite (Eg. Financial deregulation, relaxed labor & union laws, etc) would not necessarily serve the best interests of the French public - No more than the interests of Wall St are in line with the rest of America (As recent events have proved). It would be these conflicts of interest that would murky any potential benefits, like the one you suggested in that it could allow the Parisian business elite to bypass some of the bureaucracy when communicating with the political elite.
The other point of yours I disagree with is how willing French business will be to hoist an under-performing Sarkozy Jnr out of his office. How many rational business elites do you think would openly pick a fight with the son of the all-powerful President, even if they did disapprove of his performance? Though I am sure independent journalists would have no such qualms, I have serious doubts that Parisian business leaders would risk infuriating Sarkozy Snr by being the first to question his son's ability to govern. And for for every exception of nepotism working out fine (Monaco as you mentioned), there are countless cases where it has failed.
I understand where you are coming from, I just disagree :)
Frenchmanaz
@ Dan100..first I appreciate your closing sentence as it sets a nice tone.
On your first point, please keep in that, while La Defense indeed houses the equivalent of Wall Street for France, this is an infrastructure and renewal project. While the companies housed within it will benefit from this in an aesthetic way, unless were talking about the banks who will be financing the project et al. that this project is not one where banking practices figure into the equation.
Granted, outside of Paris, it won't likely mean squat but La Defense has a huge aesthetic quality to it. In the same way that a tourist might visit Wall Street, which, besides the once WTC, there is little to see, unless you visit the trading floor...
I digress, at La Defense you see the Grande Arche de la Defense and many other landmark building. In other words, it's a very important area and there one that needs to be given new life.
On your second point, there I might agree, however please keep in mind that it will not be the " partners " who demand Jean be ousted but rather the people and to the population of France, Sarkozy must answer and abide. He may fight, but he will likely choose his own position over his sons. After all Jean is very young and could bounce back. Nikolas no longer has this luxury.
If Jean does indeed fail miserably, the " partners " may not wish to expose themselves by demanding Jean be ousted but they can and will marginalize him to the point of insignificance.
None of my statements are of course written in stone. My opinion, is that it is almost comical that such a young lad be even considered to oversee this much money and on a project of this importance. It seems completely odd that Nikolas, no matter how much he loves his son and wishes him to succeed, would make such a choice.
This is just throwing darts at a board miles away. I might eat my words, but I suspect that one way or another, if Jean is proven incompetent, his power will be diminished to the point of complete insignificance, no matter who his Father might be.
We'll check back in a year or so =). So many variables and you could very well be right.
Dan100
@Frenchmanaz - After thinking more about this, you may be right that the nature of this role would favour a more politically connected canditate, due to the amount of funding this infrastructure would require. It still just irks me though, even if Jean's direct access to the Prez does give him a clear advantage over a more experienced but less connected substitute, that Jean would have seemingly had 0% chance of landing this position without a presidential father. This is where the ethics of nepotism seems to conflict with the practicalities you pointed out in the case of Jean overseeing these projects at La Defense. I can't help but feel some pity for the highly experienced and apt planners that were no-doubt overlooked for this position in place of Jean Sarkozy, it just doesn't feel right.
As you are a French national (or ex-pat), I would accept your point that the Parisian's themselves would rise up against this guy if he was inept - (hopefully -without- dragging him to the Place De La Concorde!). Still not comfortable with the idea of all the established political figures having to tip-toe around a fresh-faced graduate with a powerful daddy.. But as you said, time will tell if he can show up his critics and succeed without dragging his dad's political power into question.
Oh, and for the record, I visit my brother yearly who lives in central Paris and works in for law-firm in La Defense - and it looks great to me as it is LOL.. But then again, all of Paris does to the foreign eye!
We should do a follow up in 1 year :)
Frenchmanaz
@Dan101, first to clarify on my heritage, I am a club member of a fortunate but diminishing group whom carry dual citizenship ( US / France ). I grew up in South East Asia and have lived in the South of France, but like you have beaucoup family in Paris ( just watched a Vietnam war flick yesterday ). I do speak French fluently. I have lived on and off, in the US for going on 18 years. Shall we say well travelled and patriotic to both of my peeps. You will find me commenting with great gusto on domestic issues as well.
Enough about me otherwise you might think I am writing an eharmony personal profile...I like dogs and walks on the beach...LOL
Back to business, from the get go I sensed you had a familiarity with Paris than no one could have without having spent beaucoup time there could. Plus as you can see by the number of comments, only anyone with links to France would give a crap about this topic =).
I wish more in this beautiful country of ours ( The US ) had the opportunity to get to know France & the French as well as you do. It gets quite taxing to always try to, respectfully, explain how little they actually know about the country and it's people.
Having said that, I have noticed a considerable difference in reaction to my handle ( Frenchmanaz ) to just a year or more ago.
It has been my call sign for many man years so you can imagine the " surrender monkey " and much worse I received after France ( rightfully ) chose not to follow W into Iraq.
I still get it from time to time but try to circumvent the usual pointless rebuttals by, when applicable, ending my comments with " please keep this conversation in the adult realm by not falling back on the default, insult the Frenchman rhetoric ) =)
I will close with this, I do agree with you, it's really ridiculous to have Jean in that prestigious a position, however asking me feel sorry for the older undoubtedly more qualified beaurocrat who was shafted is like asking me to feel sorry for one of our congressmen. Sorry, can't do it =) Beaurocrats are the same the world over, incompetent and self indulgent most often with only their own self interest at heart. Despite the nepotism factor, this could be Nikolas way of ensuring that he is not forced to deal with someone he can't control if that person happens to favor his own self indulgences. After all not so much as a single brick has been laid at ground zero in NYC.
Also lets keep in mind that this was not a paid position either, which means it requires someone who is either independently wealthy or who can work both his paid job and this one.
You are indeed correct though, that La Defense is already a very cool area, but Nikolas is on a mission to refresh France, to change Paris's suit from the old one that smell of the unfiltered Gitanes, to a new Armani suit that smells of Gauloise Blonde.
The worst that could happen is that not a single building is touched and La Defense stays as cool as it already is...right ? =)
Vive la France !
Nice chatting with you Dan. A la prochaine !
Thank you.
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