Franco-American Relations after the election of François Hollande

The French Presidential election was not really followed in the US, where incidentally, a preference for 'continuity' embodied by the outgoing president seemed to dominate amongst many of the country's leaders. Indeed, Nicolas Sarkozy's Presidency was marked by excellent France-US relations. In this context, although the positions of the new President François Hollande on issues such as the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the anti-missile defence system seemed to comprise bones of contention with the US, his main advantage amongst American leaders is his clear commitment to a European policy that is more in favour of growth. This position has indeed gained the support of the Obama administration, which is concerned about the European economic situation and its possible effects on the other side of the Atlantic.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: What to expect from François Hollande http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-to-expect-from-francois-hollande/

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