Politics needs courtesy, not petty point-scoring

There used to be an unspoken rule that politicians do not badmouth each other in public.

They may do it in private with colleagues, but not within earshot of the rest of us or of the media. 

They can criticise policies and offer alternatives for sure, but not carp simply with the aim of self-promotion at the expense of demeaning a colleague or opponent.

Now, it seems, there is no more honour left in politics, and that is a shame for democratic discourse. Without a minimum of respect for the system and those who play a part in it, we may as well give up on civilised society. 

I say this because a short while ago the French media was given a masterclass on how not to talk about politics – from a VIP.

During a conference in Brussels in September, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy demonstrated the new gloves-off approach when he took to the stage and fielded questions about Emmanuel Macron. 

His manner of answering – and the fact that he was willing to be quizzed on the subject at all – did him no credit.

Here, there was no discretion. He did not hesitate to jump on the bandwagon of Macron-baiting that has been rolling across France for the last year or more. 

His attitude was the opposite of cautious and diplomatic. He dived in with relish, using a tone that was impolite and disrespectful. His responses were flippant and caustic. Mr Sarkozy presented himself as a know-it-all, forever eating sour grapes. 

Mr Macron, he said, had blundered. He should listen to his predecessor’s advice and do things differently. 

Mr Sarkozy probably felt safe to be indiscreet because this was a members-only conference of a private business club meeting beyond the borders of France; but there happened to be a camera rolling – isn’t there always? – and the footage quickly made its way onto the internet.

Read more: Nicolas Sarkozy to be released from Paris prison after three weeks

Whatever you think of Mr Macron, such behaviour is not helpful. Democracy requires us all to show at least a minimum of respect to politicians. Ex-presidents should set an example. 

Yes, Nicolas Sarkozy has at least done the job for which he was criticising the incumbent, but he is not doing it in the current conditions, and this should chasten him somewhat.

For all his experience and contacts, he is now essentially an outsider and as such is only partially informed of the options available.

We must also remember that Nicolas Sarkozy was no runaway success as president himself. Controversy dogged him then and has hung around him ever since. 

He failed to get re-elected in 2012 – so much for the man with all the right answers – and when he tried to manoeuvre himself into the position as candidate for the right in 2017, he was passed over in favour of the doomed François Fillon. 

Mr Sarkozy was subsequently convicted and imprisoned for corruption and banned from holding office for three years. It is hardly the CV of an elder statesman who has useful insights to offer. He sounds more like the kind of barstool pundit we should avoid.

It would be better for Mr Sarkozy to withdraw with grace (or shame), to work quietly in some way for the good of France or world peace, rather than to offer himself as the generator of dubious soundbites to conference delegates (discreetly) pointing smartphones at him.

The loss of courtesy in politics is not something we should treat as trivial. It should not become routine for a politician to badmouth his or her former opponents. 

Nothing is gained when discussion of serious issues that need to be confronted dissolves into pointless, petty clashes of personality.

How do you think the French political climate compares to that elsewhere? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com