What does the election of Nicolas Sarkozy tell us about the evolution of French society and political culture? Does his election signal the demise of French populism and the abdication of the political left?

Ever since his resounding success in the 2007 French presidential elections, Sarkozy has in turn enthused, irritated, fascinated, or incensed many, both within and outside his country.

Apparently intent on challenging conventional political boundaries, Nicolas Sarkozy has championed a ‘rupture’ or break with the country’s political traditions in order to address pressing domestic and global challenges. Yet French political observers and scholars still struggle to understand his new administration. Similarly, opposition parties have so far failed to offer a credible alternative to Sarkozy’s aggressive political positioning.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the 2007 French presidential elections, French experts as well British academics, policy makers and journalists present evidence-based analyses of the Sarkozy administration to date.

Professor Pascal Perrineau – Director, CEVIPOF, Paris
Dr Gérard Grunberg – Deputy Director, Sciences Po, Paris
Marc‑Olivier Padis – Editor-in-Chief, Esprit
Professor Marie-Anne Cohendet – Law Faculty, Sorbonne
Professor Yves Surel – Sciences Po, Grenoble
Dr Kalypso Nicolaïdis – Director, European Studies Centre, Oxford
Jérôme Fourquet – Deputy Director, Public Opinion Dept, IFOP
Dr François Purseigle – Sociologist, ENSA, Toulouse
Dr Catherine Fieschi – Director, Demos

Concluding debate between
Eric Besson – State Secretary
Pierre Moscovici – French MP, previously Minister for European Affairs