Two men with a remarkable amount in common are ruling the roost in two of the leading member states of the European Union: Nicolas Sarkozy in France and Gordon Brown in Britain. Yet they have starkly different characters. The chemistry between them may well determine the direction of Europe.

Both have, for years, focused single-mindedly on getting to the top in politics. Both are master tacticians determined to transform their national economies. Both are seeking to distance themselves from the unpopular policies of their predecessors.