When they met this week, the British Prime Minister and the French President showed they were not above kissin' arse for the sake of unity. Their relationship was heading downhill in recent months, with Nicolas Sarkozy ever so angry over what he saw as David Cameron's interference in the Euro affair.
But, at their meeting in the Elysee Palace on Friday and with hardly a blush between them, both went out of their way to demonstrate what can only be described as a friendship beyond special. Mr Cameron, the product of an all-boys public school, attributed to Mr Sarkozy just about everything that is right with this world, while the French President at one point acknowledged the adoration being heaped upon him with a sideways glance at the handsome David, one that can only be described as the "Princess Di" look. You know the one, when she was being coy and flirty.
Of course, it was all a big act. Mr Sarkozy has just announced he will seek re-election and needs to convince the French people of his credentials as a great statesman and the one to lead them out of the current economic mess. Mr Cameron knows the UK needs to be at the centre of Europe ready to influence future events, despite those in his own Tory party who believe that beyond the channel lies hell and damnation.
The Prime Minister is aware it would not be good for Britain if we were left isolated outside the EC tent and his recent arguments with the French and Germans left him open to accusations that he was anti-European. For now, it is Germany laying down the demands for financial restraint and austerity across the Eurozone, but German arrogance will only be tolerated for so long.
It does look like Greece is almost being forced to depart the Euro sometime this year and if that happens what then? Will the Eurozone survive, or will more countries take the opportunity to abandon the fold? Things are starting to look good for the US economy, but the world is sadly lacking in the leadership necessary to galvanise world markets. If the Euro collapsed what would happen to the world economy?
Meanwhile, President Sarkozy has started his campaign for re-election and his fellow-leaders will surely be thinking it's better the devil you know during difficult times. For that reason Angela Merkel, David Cameron and other European bosses will bury their differences and support him to the hilt. Of course it is always dangerous for politicians to get too involved in the internal politics of its neighbours. But it was good to watch Cameron and Sarkozy kiss and make-up with such unadulterated hypocrisy.
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