Nay-sayers take French diplomacy dossier

France’s new ministers for foreign and European affairs, Laurent Fabius and Bernard Cazeneuve, have a curious fact in common: they both voted against the European Constitution in the French referendum of 2005, and the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 2008.

Having said that, France’s European partners should not “conclude that François Hollande’s foreign policy will be tainted by anti-European sentiment. This would be a mistake”, argues Le Monde, which nonetheless draws attention to what it describes as “an unavoidable political reality” —

… the French do not trust Europe. But more often than not, their Eurosceptic mood and occasional support for a policy of national withdrawal is fueled by a conviction that European integration will pave the way for all of the ills of economic liberalism. Of course, Europe is a market: this is one of its strengths, the secret of its appeal, and the driving force behind its competitiveness. But it should also be a political and civilisational project. M. Fabius is not the worst choice of politician to speak on behalf of such a Europe”.

In any case, remarks Libération, which points out that Fabius and Cazeneuve are “not the only Eurosceptics in the French cabinet” —

François Hollande has appointed them to posts where, they will have little real influence on European affairs — ‘a field reserved’ for head of state, which will be effectively managed by the Elysée.