Sarkozy the G Whiz

[Sean Osborne]

Keep an eye on this guy. Some very interesting news items (underlined) in this report. He's European (French & Greek) and half Jewish from a prominent family of Thessalonikan rabbis.

Sarkozy the G Whiz

Published: 01/02/11, 6:55 PM / Last Update: 01/02/11, 6:51 PM

by Amiel Ungar

On January 1 French President Nicholas Sarkozy took the reins of the G8 and G20 economic groupings and the international limelight that comes with the post. Sarkozy who started his presidency in 2007 with astronomical popularity ratings has seen his personal popularity plummet to 24% --even farther south than his predecessor Jacques Chirac (who faces corruption charges in March). His wife, former model and singer Carla Bruni, who was once an asset has attained the dubious title as the celebrity that Frenchmen would most like to slap. Sarkozy hopes to exploit the opportunity of global economic leadership, when we are now less than 500 days away till France's presidential elections.

The French president will meet with Barack Obama next week in Washington and at the end of the month he will take part in a summit of African countries and will pick up frequent flyer miles by the planeload. If he manages to cut a figure in international economics it may help his electoral prospects, France is still nostalgic for its former grandeur. Nothing is guaranteed; former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown similarly counted on the economic posts to lift his sagging fortunes but in vain.

In any event Sarkozy mixed his New Year's message with two seemingly contradictory messages. The first was that France would continue with a policy of cutting the budget deficit and there would not be a pre-election-year spending spree. From a 7.7% deficit in 2010 the deficit would be cut to 6% in 2011 and 24.6% by the end of 2012 projecting a 3% deficit in 2013 and 2% in 2014 comfortably within the limits specified in the euro stability agreement.

The French President acknowledged that the reforms were painful and realized that it would hit public services "I do not know of any public services where one doesn't tell me that he needs more personnel and more resources." However if France wanted to have an independent future and enjoy growth that will protect jobs these are the things that had to be done. Sarkozy warned that France would not like to find itself in the position of Greece and therefore "we will not do… What we have seen being done in certain European countries who find themselves today confronting insurmountable situations … When one doesn't make the efforts that one has to at the necessary moment the price to pay is much heavier." France simply could not go on accumulating budgetary deficits as it has had done in the last 30 years.

Sarkozy however softened his budgetary harsh medicine by dissociating himself from free-market approaches and promised that during this year's French presidency of the G8 and G 20 France would defend the idea of a "more regulated" and "less brutal" world. As a token of this approach he held out the possibility that France and Germany would be the first to harmonize their tax policies and thus prevent the migration of jobs. Both Sarkozy and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week issued ringing defenses of the euro. The French president warned that if the euro fell this would mean the reversal of 60 years of European progress and would mark the demise of Europe.

Sarkozy also promised a new global monetary system that would be less dependent on the dollar and even threatened to yoke the French minnow to the Chinese economic Leviathan to convince the Americans to agree to new financial arrangements. A multipolar world required multipolar economic arrangements as well.

(IsraelNationalNews.com)

[Soon]

Excellent post. I agree with you that Sarkozy is one to watch. He definitely seems destined to be a significant player during the Tribulation Period.

Another one to watch, but is not currently really on most people's radar screen, is Karl zu Guttenberg of Germany. He is currently the Defence Minister of Germany but, more significantly, is also currently the most popular politician (by far) in all of Germany. Given that Germany is the most powerful economy in the EU (and hence a huge influencer of its policy) and given the EU's destiny as the Anti-Christ's position of power, the very handsome Mr. zu Guttenberg (and his incredibly beautiful wife) are up and comers that could soon become globally known if a German election is called. Some quick facts:

- He was born in Bavaria and this is where his family resides (interestingly, this is the same area that Pope Benedict was born). It is also interesting to note that his ancestors has lived in a huge prestigous castle for hundreds of years
- He is fluent in several languages and has a renowned mastery of the English language
- He is considered an extemely charismatic and strong leader (other politicians fear him)
http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20101014-30485.html
- He is known as a master problem solver
- He is known to actively support the Roman Catholic Church, including taking an active part in determining who will be the local bishops and priests
- He has put through changes most considered to be political suicide (for example, he recently ended conscription in Germany - something mandated at the end of WWII to keep the German war machine at bay and was thought to be irremovable):
http://www.spiegel.de/international/...730660,00.html
- The press, especially in German, absolutely loves him and has put him on a pedestal (they often marvel on the fact that he has not made any significant errors)

I am not saying this gentleman is the Anti-Christ, but it does appear he will soon rise to a prominent position in the German government, and hence, in turn, in the upcoming World Government.

[mattfivefour]

His family name means "Baron of the Holy Roman Empire"

My German is rudimentary, though my mother is fluent. And it seems to me that, if anything, "zu Guttenberg" would mean "to good mountain". Where did you find your definition?

[Soon]

My German is rudimentary, though my mother is fluent. And it seems to me that, if anything, "zu Guttenberg" would mean "to good mountain". Where did you find your definition?

You are correct - thanks for catching this!! I meant to say his title means "Baron of the Holy Roman Empire". The following is a quote from Wikipedia:

"His correct title is Reichsfreiherr.[18] One addresses him as Baron. Here, one must know the correct titles. [...] He is simply the Baron."[19] Reichsfreiherr ("Freiherr of the Empire") is distinguished from Freiherr by its descent from the Holy Roman Empire. Though never used before its dissolution, the title was coined by older baronical families to distinguish themselves from newer baronical families who gained their title from kingdoms after the Holy Roman Empire's dissolution. Today, the term Reichsfreiherr would only be used in the most formal contexts, such as on an engraved invitation. Baron is also the customary title of a Freiherr in English and other languages, and Guttenberg is hence sometimes referred to as Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg in languages other than German.[20]"

My apologies! I have corrected the entry as appropriate.

[mattfivefour]

"Freiherr" literally , of course, means "Free man". The etymology indicates it was used to distinguish free men—members of the minor nobility—from the peasantry. Reich actually means "realm". We have to be careful with Wikipedia because it is notoriously unreliable, given that anybody can tender and amend or emend content.

To me his title indicates he is descended from a family of "free men" in the realm, that is to say, minor German nobles, as opposed to serfs. I realize it is not nearly as dramatic for the purpose of those who think him to be a potential key member of the coming OWG, but it is far more accurate.

[Soon]

"Freiherr" literally , of course, means "Free man". The etymology indicates it was used to distinguish free men—members of the minor nobility—from the peasantry. Reich actually means "realm". We have to be careful with Wikipedia because it is notoriously unreliable, given that anybody can tender and amend or emend content.

To me his title indicates he is descended from a family of "free men" in the realm, that is to say, minor German nobles, as opposed to serfs. I realize it is not nearly as dramatic for the purpose of those who think him to be a potential key member of the coming OWG, but it is far more accurate.

I could find nothing to back the title of Baron of the Holy Roman Empire outside of Wikipedia, so therefore agree that it may not be accurate. As such, I have deleted the applicable line. However, I added a couple of links to German articles on him for further information. Thanks again for your prompt review.

[mattfivefour]

And thanks for the info on the good Baron zu Guttenberg. I had not seen much about him before.

[Soon]

And thanks for the info on the good Baron zu Guttenberg. I had not seen much about him before.

For whatever reason, the Baron remains obscure. If Angela (or a different future leader) is a Christian and is raptured, perhaps he will be the one to fill the vacuum in Germany. He is known for taking control of situations and getting it done. It seems truly amazing to me that someone so handsome, articulate and well connected has remained out of the limelight other than in Germany.