Lies, cheating, corruption… These striking words become familiar to French people. As of today, 70% of them don’t trust politicians. French Democracy.

Over the past few weeks, a feeling of desperation has been pervading European minds about democratic life. Since Jerome Cahuzac, Junior Minister for the Budget at the Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and External Trade, has been charged of rooting out tax evasion, a general questioning about politics and its relations with money and truth is deeply seizing citizens.

The word “corruption” has become the leitmotiv of the speeches crossing public space. Regarding to Scandinavian and Germanic countries such as Denmark which are perceived as exemplary countries concerning transparency and moral values, Latin countries stand in sharp contrast with them as they seem uncontrollably corrupt: for instance let’s think about Italy with its Cavaliere, and now France with its former French budget minister… Let’s stop there, but the list is long.

French Democracy in 2013

Lies, cheating, corruption… These striking words become familiar to French people. As of today, 70% of them don’t trust politicians. “They cheated us” can one hear in the subway or read on posters in the streets. Nowadays, this catchphrase sums up the taxpayers’ feeling of rage and disillusion. Not that French people had a great trust in their representatives, but in a so-called country of Human Rights, where is the moral value of truth and transparency hidden? Politicians are indulging in luxury and lies despite their claims of exemplary service.

As an example, let’s consider the case of Nicolas Sarkozy, the right-wing former French President, who was placed under formal investigation for “abuse of weakness” against the heiress Liliane Bettencourt. However, now even the left-wing party in power is proving that no one is exempt from immorality.

Politicians are losing their aura; they plunge deep into luxury, lies and cheating. Last but not least, the political divide between left and right does not mean anything when they are all reduced to the same point of debauchery. Shouldn’t the left-wing socialist party have been moral and moralistic considering its fundamental principles?

French Democracy Reshuffled?

In times as grim as these, politicians have fallen into immorality and recklessness. We are facing a global degeneration of the public space which is no longer what it was. The sad climate of general suspicion permeates our politics; the fabulous triangle of modern democracy, this triangle where politicians, public opinion and media are exchanging speeches and confronting their ideas no longer exists.

Each actor suspects the other; and connivance between the political world and the world of money and finance is denounced. How could one possibly not denounce it when the Budget minister, constantly announcing the benefits of austerity, was hiding his money in tax heavens? Everybody knows, but no one talks. Everybody wants to know, but no one dares to tackle seriously the issue of typical French money taboo and conflicts of interest.

In face of this perdition, a huge demand is emerging. Some, as Front de Gauche party, are talking about a deep clean-out on the fifth republic. Others see only one solution: a complete reshuffling of the cabinet.

Moralizing politics? That is what François Hollande, President, vows to do. But it does not win unanimous support among French citizens. Some of them see it as a simple strategy of communication which cannot have good effects on politicians conduct. They say nothing can force someone to be moral. And so does the law. Thus, wouldn’t the speech about moralization of politics be immoral in its desire of talking people into being moral?