French President Nicolas Sarkozy, image from www.20minutes.fr Since taking office, the president has sparked controversy almost every week, ranging from his personal life—divorce, relationships, to marriage—to his strong handling of public affairs. Although efficient, he has concentrated all state power in himself, with surrounding ministers seemingly overshadowed by his presence. Sometimes it feels as if French politics is returning to a monarchical era, with everything decided by the president alone (of course, the president should act like the conductor of a political symphony; but a conductor cannot play the violin or replace other musicians, but must fulfill their respective duties and tasks, so that through division of labor and cooperation, overall political innovation and positive governance effects can be achieved).

President Nicolas Sarkozy seems to have made extraordinary proposals and views on social education every day this week, causing events that left the French people dumbfounded one after another. For example, starting next semester, every third-grade elementary school student must adopt the historical memory of a Jewish child who perished during the Holocaust of World War II. The president certainly had good intentions and humanitarian compassion, but this proposal seems beyond the scope of current elementary education. No one guarantees they can bear such historical education (after a week of controversy and debate, its feasibility is low; the president withdrew the proposal, though his Minister of Education remained stubborn). Subsequently, President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Minister of Education personally visited an elementary school and unexpectedly proposed adding "Citizenship and Morality" courses to national primary and secondary education starting next semester, emphasizing shame, respect for teachers, and politeness. In today's corrupt ethics and morality, society's response was quite positive, applauding the president's extraordinary suggestions and proposals.

Unexpectedly, at the annual agricultural exhibition this Sunday, President Nicolas Sarkozy, like all previous presidents, went to encourage, visit, and receive cheers and blessings at the opening. As soon as he entered, he continuously shook hands and chatted with each member of the public participating in the agricultural exhibition, bathing in this enthusiastic welcome ceremony. When the president wanted to shake hands with an alternative citizen, this person not only did not extend a hand but also said in front of the president, "Don't dirty my hands." The president smiled and directly retorted, "Get lost, you poor bastard." It seemed like just another scene in the theater of human nature, passing by unnoticed, until someone recorded this brilliant dialogue. By evening, the video had spread throughout the city, with mass media and the public debating the president's rudeness. The online video quickly attracted over 800,000 views. Many French citizens believed that as the head of state, how could the president behave in such a manner, questioning his behavior and attitude (of course, this kind of behavior by President Nicolas Sarkozy is not the first time; a few months ago, when visiting fishermen in Boudou, eastern France, he had similar extraordinary conversations).

The public began to sarcastically question whether the president's suggestions earlier in the week regarding schools (respect for teachers and social etiquette in citizenship and morality) were merely empty words. Former President of the Constitutional Council Robert Badinter, in a radio interview, said, "Under the special responsibilities of being the head of state, one must maintain reserve, keep distance, and remain dignified (...) without avoiding provocation and insult. You must be ready to respond politely immediately." Socialist MP Jean-Christophe Cambadélis said, "This symbolically indicates that President Nicolas Sarkozy is not calm enough and cannot control the situation." Socialist Party leader François Hollande believed, "The president is not a good role model." Under these repeated behaviors and actions of the president, it is no wonder that opinion polls have repeatedly dropped, which is not unreasonable. Everyone is waiting for the upcoming local elections to see what results the UMP right-wing party, belonging to the president, will achieve.