‘EMIRATI MODEL IS LESSON FOR WORLD’
▶ Former French president Sarkozy warns populism is destroying leadership, writes Roberta Pennington
The axis of power is shifting from West to East, as visionary leadership is surpassing democratic governance as the key to stability and prosperity, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy told the Abu Dhabi Ideas Weekend forum yesterday.
He was the final speaker to address the forum hosted by Tamkeen and The Aspen Institute at New York University Abu Dhabi, touching on themes of globalisation, leadership and Brexit.
“Where you see a great leader, there is no populism,” said Mr Sarkozy, who was president of France from 2007 to 2012.
“Where is the populism in China? Where is the populism here? Where is the populism in Russia? Where is the populism in Saudi Arabia? If the great leadership leaves the table, the populist leaders come and replace him.”
Modern democracy destroys leaderships, he said, noting some of the world’s greatest leaders today come largely from undemocratic governments.
“How could we have a democracy and at the same time accept leadership?” Mr Sarkozy asked the audience.
“How can we have a vision that could look into 10, 15, 20 years and at the same time have an election rhythm in the States, for instance, every four years? The great leaders of the world come from countries that are not great democracies.”
Mr Sarkozy pointed to the UAE as an example of a country that was able to rapidly succeed and prosper because of its Rulers.
“I believe that it’s the leadership that makes the country. We are in Abu Dhabi. In 50 years they built an extraordinary country because they had the leadership,” he said. “What would be today the United Arab Emirates without the leadership of Mohammed bin Zayed?”
Mr Sarkozy credited Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for having the vision to bring the Louvre to the emirate.
“I was the head of state that signed for the Louvre Abu Dhabi project. I put my entire energy and he put his entire vision,” said Mr Sarkozy.
“We needed 10 years – 10 years – and we were quick.”
The Louvre Abu Dhabi was a physical manifestation of cultural exchange and open-mindedness, Mr Sarkozy said.
He said Brexit has been a “nightmare for everybody. Everyone is losing”.
Mr Sarkozy, whose ambitions for another run at the French presidency were rejected by voters in 2016, suggested that Europe be “restructured”.
“The European project is old,” he said. “We need to put in a new European treaty on the table that rethinks Europe – not considering the past 60 years, but the next 60 years – and tell the British, you have decided to leave old Europe, here is a new Europe.
“Vote to know if you want to be a member of this club, of this new Europe. That is a winning thematic and that’s what we need to do. But in order to do that, you need a leadership.”
Mr Sarkozy also emphasised that demographic pressures would create political and economic challenges as populations in Asia and Africa swelled.
“The world axis is migrating from the western world to Asia. During centuries, the world axis was occidental, was western,” he said. “Today, the world axis is Asian. Out of seven billion inhabitants, four are in Asia, and that’s the demography that creates history.”
The population growth and associated immigration challenges could be a serious threat for Europe, he said.
“We need a fantastic plan to develop the African economy and allow the young Africans to find work employment in their countries,” said Mr Sarkozy.
“The future of Africa and the future of Europe is linked, but if you don’t develop Africa, Europe will explode.”