Fireworks on Bastille Day

Bastille Day is traditionally a time for the French President to shine. He reviews military parades, pardons prisoners, hosts a swank garden party, and gives a prominent television interview. But in last week's walkup to July 14, Jacques Chirac's star was eclipsed by fireworks from his outspoken, ambitious Finance Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy. On July 11, Sarkozy gave a long interview to Le Monde, in which he said France's 35-hour workweek should be revised and that the country should hold a referendum on the proposed E.U. constitution — initiatives that Chirac previously opposed, but embraced in his Bastille Day TV appearance just...