French Elections: European Conservative Leaders Refuse to Meet Mr. Hollande

This morning, Der Spiegel reported that the French Socialist presidential candidate, François Hollande, was reportedly refused a meeting with the leaders of Italy, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom (all conservatives). His statement that he intends to renegotiate the fiscal pact, if elected, is said to be the main reason.

The German magazine explains that Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had jointly decided not to receive Mr. Hollande before the French presidential elections scheduled for April 22. Shortly after, British Prime Minister David Cameron joined them.

According to Der Spiegel, the conservatives, particularly their leaders, say they are "scandalized" by the socialist candidate's intention to renegotiate the pact (signed on Friday) while they consider it to be a central part of saving the eurozone.

Obviously, François Hollande's supporters, in particular his campaign director Pierre Moscovici, consider this "conservative pressure unprecedented in the history of Europe...and completely unfortunate and worrying."

Berlin denies this news

Furthermore, Berlin reportedly denied shortly afterward that conservative European leaders had agreed not to meet with Mr. Hollande. In any case, no meeting has been scheduled between him and Mrs. Merkel since then.

Let us recall that at the beginning of this month, Angela Merkel had given her support to another candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, during a Franco-German cabinet meeting held in Paris. She had stated... "I support Nicolas Sarkozy on all levels, because we belong to friendly parties," then recalling that the latter had come to help her in 2009, "before the legislative elections that allowed him to be reappointed head of the German government."

 Another endorsement for the presidential candidate

Mr. Sarkozy also received best wishes for success from David Cameron at the last Franco-British summit. Cameron said: "I am fortunate to be able to wish my friend Sarkozy good luck in the battle he is about to wage."

In any case, it will be the votes of the French people that will decide what happens next.