Nicolas Sarkozy - a big state directorate

Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the UMP (President Jacques Chirac's party) and French Minister of the Interior has proposed that the so-called Franco-German axis be extended to include the UK, Italy, Spain and Poland.

The 'Big Six' would sit together in the driver's seat of the EU. They will make proposals which the other member states (19 in all) would be free to reject without stopping the six from moving forward with them.

This is another version of "two-speed", "variable geometry" or "core-periphery" Europe, which has occasionally been proposed in the past. We do not think that Mr Sarkozy's proposal will fare better than its predecessors.

Most likely it is just a bit of theatrics to convince French voters to fall behind his presidential ambitions. At the moment he seems to be outmanoeuvred by Mr Chirac and by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Mr Sarkozy has stated openly that he will contest the next presidential election in France, even if the incumbent, Mr Chirac, seeks a third term.

By making this proposal Mr Sarkozy appears to be optimistic that the 'Big Six' are willing to join hands in such an alliance. He assumes that the 19 other EU member states will meekly swallow their pride and allow the six to rule over them.

He assumes that once the 'Big Six' join in a ménage à six or a polygamous marriage no future issue will divide them. That divorce will not be just round the corner as (alas) it is for most marriages.

He may also be assuming that he will be leading France after Chirac or that there will soon be an "after-Chirac". And that as such he will be the natural 'first among equals' of the 'Big Six'.

He thinks that Europe is pleading, nay we say more dying to be led by him. He must be crazy! He certainly has an ego that is bigger than the EU itself. Can the EU contain Mr Sarkozy?