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Crossing the Aisle in Paris and Washington

Both the U.S. and French Presidents, Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy, have brought key opposition figures into their administrations. As Fabrice Pothier argues, in both cases their policy influence has been minimal.

by Fabrice Pothier
published by
E!Sharp
 on August 31, 2009

Source: E!Sharp

Crossing the Aisle in Paris and WashingtonIn some ways, they could not be further apart: Obama speaks with a silver tongue, while Sarkozy can be alarmingly blunt. Obama wears shoes with regular soles. Sarkozy doesn't. But while observers have noted the differences between both leaders, little has been said about the opportunities and challenges of their common political approach: reaching across the aisle, or politique de l'ouverture.

Foreign PolicyPolitical ReformEuropeNorth AmericaUnited StatesWestern Europe
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