French press review 1 February 2012

What do the British queen and the Senegalese president have in common? And what does Pakistan think of France selling fighter jets to India?

Queen Elizabeth II has probably found herself in stranger company in the course of her 60-year reign. But this morning's editorial in Catholic La Croix, which the English monarch shares with Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade, must merit special mention.

Catholic La Croix, perhaps surprisingly, likes the queen. The possible surprise would be based on the fact that Queen Elizabeth is the head of the rival Anglican Church. The real liking comes down to the monarch's ability to remain above political squabbles and ordinary concerns like the global economic crisis or the high price of bread.

Abdoulaye Wade is a different can of beans altogether.

The Senegalese president is 86 years old and has been in power for just 12 years. But he'd like another shot at it, and is widely suspected of positioning his son, Karim, to take over when he drops off the perch. Many of his countrymen are less than happy at the prospect.

Le Monde isn't happy either.

"Retire Mr Wade" is the headline to the centrist paper's main editorial. Le Monde says the price of Wade's determination to hold on to the reins of power could well be the first coup d'état in Senegal's history. The immovable president has little to be proud of. Waste, corruption and misery are the words most frequently used to characterise his regime. Human rights have gone steadily backwards under Wade's rule.

Business daily Les Echos is delighted at the news that the French aviation company, Dassault, which also owns Le Figaro, has agreed a deal with the Indian airforce for 126 Rafale fighter planes, with a catalogue price variously estimated at between 10 and 15 billion euros.

The deal still has to be finalised and Les Echos points out that no fewer than 108 of the 126 jets will be built in India under a technology transfer agreement. I wonder what the military in neighbouring Pakistan are thinking this morning about the Indian deal?