Sarkozy hospitalised: French presidency

[xav]

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

PARIS — France's President Nicolas Sarkozy was taken to hospital on Sunday after falling ill while exercising, his office told AFP.

The 54-year-old leader was examined by his doctor and underwent medical tests after falling ill, a statement from the Elysee Palace said.

Later, officials in his office said Sarkozy had been taken to hospital after suffering some kind of illness while exercising at La Lanterne, his weekend retreat near the Palace of Versailles outside Paris.

He was thought to have been taken to the Val de Grace military hospital, a well-placed source said. A military helicopter was seen flying over the Versailles forest.

Sarkozy, who assumed the presidency in May 2007, is a fitness enthusiast, and is often seen jogging or cycling with aides and bodyguards.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jMUs1hNoI8RxSxY6flf07s32p6jg

[Derbedeu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jMUs1hNoI8RxSxY6flf07s32p6jg

Hope he's fine.

Xav who would take over in the case of the French President's death/incapacitation? France doesn't have a Vice President, does it?

[xav]

wow, I know we learn this in High school but i forgot.

I think it is the president of the parliement/national assembly but let me check :)

edit:

Until the 5th Republic it was the president of the national assembly who took the interim role.

Since the 5th Republic it is the president of the Senate (because they realized that in the freak event of the french president dissolving the national assembly, then dying, there was a hole where nobody was eligible to take the interim role... and the Senate can not be dissolved)

[bgregoire]

In case of incapacity of the french president the next in line is the president of the senat
then the president of the conseil constitutionel then the president of the deputy chamber after that I do not know

[Derbedeu]

Thanks guys.

[Nansouty]

wow, I know we learn this in High school but i forgot.

I think it is the president of the parliement/national assembly but let me check :)

edit:

Until the 5th Republic it was the president of the national assembly who took the interim role.

Since the 5th Republic it is the president of the Senate (because they realized that in the freak event of the french president dissolving the national assembly, then dying, there was a hole where nobody was eligible to take the interim role... and the Senate can not be dissolved)


This happened twice, in 1969 when De Gaulle resigned following his electoral defeat, and in 1974 when Pompidou died in office. Both times, it was Senate Chairman Alain Poher who filled the interim. At any rate, should this happen now, it would be Mr Gérard Larcher's task to organize a new election within 2 or 3 months. Interesting point, he'd have all presidential normal powers except, IIRC those of nominating ministers and would have to keep the current government.

[Derbedeu]

This happened twice, in 1969 when De Gaulle resigned following his electoral defeat, and in 1974 when Pompidou died in office. Both times, it was Senate Chairman Alain Poher who filled the interim. At any rate, should this happen now, it would be Mr Gérard Larcher's task to organize a new election within 2 or 3 months. Interesting point, he'd have all presidential normal powers except, IIRC those of nominating ministers and would have to keep the current government.


So they have to call an election? They can't stay in power until the term ends?

[AROUETLJ]

He's suffered a problem in the vagus nerve (which basically acts to lower the heartbeat; If it cocks up, the heartbeat can slow down to the point where unconsciousness results). As an armchair medical expert, I ascribe the symptoms to overexcitement induced by marriage to a fruity ex-supermodel.

In any case, this is a stroke of rotten luck, just as the French media was starting to realise that the Dray affair (no, Dray, not Dreyfus) is worthy of coverage. Oh and three French ALAT Tigers from the 5e RHC have been flown to Afghanistan aboard an Antonov. Woohoo.

[TallGuy]

Haha, Iceland's main newspaper said it was a nervous breakdown. I guess they need better translators...

[Nansouty]

So they have to call an election? They can't stay in power until the term ends?


Exactly. That's the way the Constitution of the 5th Republic rules the case. If I may add, it went like clockwork on both occurences.

[Atlantic Friend]

So they have to call an election? They can't stay in power until the term ends?

No, they can't. Apart from the short interim, the prersidency must be exerted by an elected leader.

[Red_Fern]

Hope he's alright. I just read about this a few minutes ago myself.

[Lazy Lob]

Who could get over this ffs?

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7527/brownsplitb2703468x312.jpg

[Vorian]

Carla is wearing him out

[Basillicus]

Everything I've seen, read and heard about him tells me his a ****ing thug. France would be better off without him.

[Atlantic Friend]

Everything I've seen, read and heard about him tells me his a ****ing thug. France would be better off without him.

He's certainly ambition-driven and ruthless as a politician, but a thug... He has yet to assassinate or imprison opponents ! ;)

[Nansouty]

Update :
http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2009/07/26/nicolas-sarkozy-hospitalise-apres-un-malaise_1222947_823448.html

He should be out of the hospital next monday. Doctors have diagnosed a mere vasovagal episode

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_episode

[SBL]

Update :
vasovagal episode


Sounds dirty.

[Red_Fern]

Everything I've seen, read and heard about him tells me his a ****ing thug. France would be better off without him.

Not really...he's just dedicated at what he does and doesn't take much crap from the hardliners of the opposition.

[AROUETLJ]

Not really...he's just dedicated at what he does and doesn't take much crap from the hardliners of the opposition.

Actually, since the election, he's shifted to the standard French leftwing policies in most areas, and gave up on many of his pre-electoral promises, so there you go.

[Red_Fern]

But that doesn't make him a thug does it?

[AROUETLJ]

But that doesn't make him a thug does it?

No, of course not.

[Fat Lazy American]

He's certainly ambition-driven and ruthless as a politician

Ambition driven? Ruthless?

As opposed to the weak-willed slackers who become successful politicians elsewhere.

[socom6]

I hope he recovers alright. I like the little guy.

[Nansouty]

Ambition driven? Ruthless?

As opposed to the weak-willed slackers who become successful politicians elsewhere.

Well, I don't like him. He's good for posturing and making rousing speeches, and when the results don't meet his promises, he's even better to lay the blame at someone else's feet. I judged him in 2005, when there were those riots in our suburbs. He was the Minister of the Interior at the time... So, after his infamous inflamatory "powerhose" speech, when it would have been his job to act, he was all too happy to let Villepin do his dirty homework for him, and bring back things under control. And, needless to say, since he's been elected, he hasn't "disappointed" me. I really hope he's ousted at the next election, but I don't hold my breath... given the pitiful state of the opposition here.

[xav]

Sarko is the best president France ever had since De Gaulle.

But yeah, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Cool stories Nansouty and Arouetlj.

Just keep in mind you only hear about the ones complaining in France (actually the minority) and you don't hear about all the ones pleased with his policies. (service minimum during strikes, 5.5 tva in restaurants to give just two examples)
Just sayin'.

But I'll give you that the opposition is a joke and is not doing its job.

[Mordoror]

Sarko is the best president France ever had since De Gaulle.

.

roflrofl

well as you said everybody is entitled to its own opinion
and i'll rather join the opinion of Nansouty on that


(actually the minority)

sorry Xav, i guess you are still in Florida because here it is becoming out loud and not only a minority's whispering
and given the actual opinion poll it should be clear enough

anyway we seems to all agree that the French oposition is a joke (and a clown team ....)

[Chimera]

Just keep in mind you only hear about the ones complaining in France (actually the minority) and you don't hear about all the ones pleased with his policies. (service minimum during strikes, 5.5 tva in restaurants to give just two examples)

Minimum public service is a myth. I have experienced it this year in Paris with the strikes of February.
VAT at 5.5 is a joke. Not a single restaurant has played the game by lowering the prices or hiring new employees. It's just a vast subsidy towards the catering sector that will bring him more votes.
C. Lagarde admitted this very day that the reform will be monitored and changed back to a higher level if no positive effect is to be seen.

[xav]

Well, maybe i need to spend more time in France.

It will be the case soon. I've just been hired by a Florida firm for their Paris office.
Boy it will be hard to work there i feel. (never worked there before).

I'll be able to experience what you guys are saying soon.

[Mordoror]

Well, maybe i need to spend more time in France.

It will be the case soon. I've just been hired by a Florida firm for their Paris office.
Boy it will be hard to work there i feel. (never worked there before).

I'll be able to experience what you guys are saying soon.

sorry to hear that mate
i know you felt very well in Florida
anyway better that than no job

and yes i guess you will need an "adaptation" time
remember French system is far more hierarchical than US one (i worked for a French branch of a US company .... they always said that they implemented US way of doing but i was always feeling that french old fashion way of managering was present ...)

[observer1]

Don't know why, but could never take this guy and his ... "lifestyle" serious

[xav]

^ Sarkozy is no match for Berlusconi on that aspect...

[acosta]

Wild party?p-) He was not invited, Czech's former was there...

^ Sarkozy is no match for Berlusconi on that aspect...