The ‘German trail’ in the Migration Policy of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande within the European Union

Abstract

This article is devoted to the migration policy of French Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–12) and François Hollande (2012–17) within the European Union. The author describes the measures undertaken by the French government and the impact that the EU (notably Germany) had on their implementation. The political course of the state is demonstrated through the periods of presidential terms, which helps identify its variables and constants. It is concluded that France plays a planning role in the development of the EU migration policy (under the leadership of Germany), whereas the EU itself plays an instrumental role.

Keywords

• nicolas sarkozy
• françois hollande
• angela merkel
• germany
• the european union
• migration policy
• the union for the mediterranean
• the european pact on immigration and asylum.