The French Socialist leader François Hollande's first act as presidential candidate was to attend today's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the police massacre of Algerians demonstrating in Paris.
It is predicted that Hollande will easily unseat President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2012 elections.
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While visiting Georgia and Armenia a couple of weeks ago, Nicolas Sarkozy called on Turkey to recognize the Ottoman tragedy of 1915 as a genocide.
Consequently, several Algerians lashed out at Sarkozy, saying that he should "look in the mirror" and apologize for the Algerian genocide first.
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Like Sarkozy, Hollande refers to the 1915 events as a genocide, too. He even puts its recognition as a precondition for Turkey's EU membership.
While it is even a harsher stance comparing to Sarkozy to snatch the French-Armenian votes, why don't Turks perceive Hollande as a hypocrite, while they keep hating Sarkozy?
Because of the fact that Hollande kept himself away from double-standards like the issue with the Algerian genocide?
Yes, but not only because of that, I believe...
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To explain it, let's look at Sarkozy's stance on Turkey's EU candidacy. Sarkozy's main argument is the "fact" that Turkey is "geographically in Asia" and its population is "100 million".
Such rhetorical manipulation is still being made, as it is reported today that Henry Renault, the French Ambassador in Yerevan, said that the main reason of France's opposition to Turkey's EU membership is its geographical position.
Repeating this, especially in Yerevan, is so funny. Because the same Sarkozy, who visited Yerevan and criticized Turkey there because of the genocide issue, was heralding that Georgia and Armenia will one day become EU members.
So Armenia and Georgia is geographically in Europe, just like Cyprus, while Turkey is not?
(Some people who want to learn more about political issues like this look into online masters degree programs.)
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After all, is Sarkozy a dumbass?
Or a despicable liar?
Non! But these question brings us to the conclusion:
Sarkozy's main argument against Turkey is actually not geographical.
The subtext is always Islamophobic, as he saws Christian-majority countries of Georgia, Armenia and Cyprus as European, although they are geographically in Asia, while he excludes the Muslim-majority Turkey with its biggest city largely in Europe.
This is why Turks don't hate Hollande, even when he angers them by manipulating the history for politicial means.
This is why it would be great for Turks to say goodbye to Sarkozy next year, as the Islamophobic hypocrisy in the EU will diminish significantly with his fall.
