Celebrity meets Populism in Europe: The Political Performances of Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi

Throughout the world, celebrity and populism have become formidable combinations in supporting political leadership. The rise of these phenomena has provoked much debate and has led to the examination of the features, causes and consequences of this kind of politics. Celebrity politics is a reflection of both the influence of celebrities and the power of celebrity images in the media which see politicians becoming celebrities, deliberately or accidentally. The political rise and fall of Nicholas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi and their roles in the performances associated with political leadership furnish two case studies of celebrity and populism in France and Italy respectively. This paper examines these two “presidential-style” leaders in Europe who at first seemedadept in practising aspects of both celebrity and populist politics.

2. Alienation: December 1865–March 1867

The Radical Republicans arrived in Washington for the opening of Congress on December 4, 1865 with two major weapons in their hands: one was the party caucus and the other was the lopsided majorities Republicans had won in the House and Senate. ‘Alienation, December 1865–1867’ outlines how the Republican juggernaut would produce, over the next seven months, a flurry of legislation, speeches, and reports designed to dissolve the self-reconstructed governments, extend voting rights to the freedmen by national authority, and reach over Johnson’s hands to seize the reins of Reconstruction for Congress. Despite Johnson vetoing legislation, Congress over-rode these vetoes; presidential-style reconstruction was dead.

Tunisia faces recurring austerity protests

Significance Peaceful protests took place as planned yesterday, the seventh anniversary of the fall of the Ben Ali regime. The new wave of austerity demonstrations is the latest in a string of major protests in recent years and raises serious questions about the government’s economic reforms. Impacts A key test for protesters will be whether they can organise themselves effectively to contest the first municipal elections. Despite pressure on the ruling coalition, Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda will remain committed to cooperation as partners in government. President Beji Caid Essebsi will use these and similar protests to make the case for a return to a presidential-style political system. There is a significant chance of further backsliding towards an authoritarian system of rule.

China moves towards presidential-style leadership

Subject Elite politics in China. Significance The Communist Party's 'Sixth Plenum' meeting in October focused on how President Xi Jinping controls the party bureaucracy and how central government controls local government. Xi's appointment as 'core leader' suggests further shifts away from consensus-based cabinet governance towards a presidential style. Impacts Established party rules of leadership succession, which regulate factional conflict among hundreds of senior officials, will be corroded. Future leadership transitions may be contested by a larger and older group of officials. More intense politics may distract the party from the business of government. There is some evidence of dissonance in the party regarding these changes but this does not threaten Xi's position.

Electoral Cross-dressing: The Role Reversal Campaigns of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande in the 2012 Presidential Election

This article analyses and evaluates the 2012 presidential campaigns of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande. It argues that these were to a large extent characterized by role reversal: Sarkozy was obliged to adopt the role of challenger, while Hollande assumed the status of incumbent. Yet it is also clear that this role reversal was not complete. Hollande enjoyed many of the advantages of the challenger position, while in contrast Sarkozy suffered from many of the disadvantages of incumbency, notably his mixed policy record in office and a negative public response to his presidential style.