The Hollande Effect

Francois Hollande’s dramatic victory in Sunday’s French presidential election could turn out to be one of this year’s most significant turning points for both Europe and the United States. France matters in the world, especially on some of the most important international challenges — the euro zone crisis, Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria. It belongs to all the right clubs as a UN Security Council permanent member, a nuclear weapons power, owner of one of the world’s most capable militaries, and an influential force in Africa and the Middle East. Only the second Socialist to gain the French presidency since World War II, Hollande managed a brilliant electoral victory that may not amount to an earthquake but has global leaders wondering how he may redirect French policy on critical issues.