Author: Martigny, Vincent

Source: French Politics, Culture & Society, Volume 27, Number 1, Spring 2009 , pp. 23-42(20)

Abstract:

The 2007 Presidential election has been the occasion of a fierce debate between Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolène Royal on the issue of national identity. The victory of Nicolas Sarkozy has led to the creation of a Ministry of National Identity and Immigration, linking in a controversial way the management of newcomers and their acceptance of allegedly historical national "values." This article examines the debate during the campaign. It provides an analysis of the reasons why the definition and defense of national identity was discussed in the course of the election, and outlines the viewpoints of the two candidates on this issue. Finally, it argues that the temptation to fix politically the content of national identity is an ancient one in France. What has been presented as part of Nicolas Sarkozy's "rupture" with the past in this domain is in fact the latest development of a form of "state nationalism" that has been prevailing in France in recent decades.

Keywords: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2007; NATIONAL IDENTITY; SARKOZY; ROYAL; MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION

DOI: 10.3167/fpcs.2009.270102

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