I am French and I think that in the cities, it y will have fires, blockades, breakage, rebellions, brawls...
because the young people were afraid that it is him the president. and my friends said to me that it y will have problems now.....I am afraid...

Pauline, Paris, France

I am of French decent and I have watched the country of my ancestors go down the tubes under a socialist system. Perhaps Sorkozy can help reform France from a socialist nightmare state to the vibrant republic it once was.

Jerome, Ardmore, TN, US

I agree with Jeffrey Downes. Sarkozy performed poorly as minister of economy and poorly again as minister of interior. There is no reason to believe that he might be better as president. Let us hope...

William, Paris,

Sarkozy is good for the country, but it will take a lot more than him to solve France's current problems, because it took a lot more than one to create them. I expect him to make some changes, but otherwise muddle through the unserious French political and intellectual climate.

As for his opponents, however, most of them are living in a dream world. Preening blowhards who can't accept their cracker-jack slogans don't fit the real world.

MlR, Washington, DC, USA

Funny how an immigrant’s son could such views on immigration! Imagine the paradox - if he was in charge when his father came to France he would not have been in French or born!

Rob, Birmingham,

First of all I'm very disapointed of the results of the elections.
I think the situation in my country will getting worst with MR Sarkozy(in particulary in the french suburbs ). He pretends to be the president who will gather the French together but in fact he won't! There are still in France some demonstrations against the future president ! I can't accept a president who makes racist remarks, I can't accept a president who agrees with Mr Bush's Iraq politic!
To my mind there wasn't a bad or a good choice to do between this two candidats, but in fact there was a better choice which (for me ) was Mrs Ségolène Royal.
What ever, french chose him (53%)and I respect this choice even if I don't really agree.

Alicia , Rennes, France

Bravo for the people of France!
If Mr. Sarkozy wins then it will be a mandate of ' France for the French ' and not for the hordes of immigrants that are destroying the very fabric that made France great!
Fly the Flag proudly and celebrate this moment!

Chad, San Diego, California

France needs Sarkozy. He's no brutal, but a serious person who really loves his country.
Royal's supporters had sent lies everywhere about him.
French are not affraid and love him.

cyby, Toulouse, France

I am French, born in Canada and working in a International company in Lyon. I have just read the comment of Marine, and i just don't understand why she will be ashamed if N.Sarkozy wins, and why h is a monster. Since these last years, the only message the socialist have given to us is that N.Sarkozy was dangerous and selfish, and S.Royal is a women and will organise local juries to take decisions! But nothing about interrnational economics, business or Europe! France is just opening it's eyes, and starts to realize that it's no more the center of the world. So we need someone strong to change things, to bring us back in the competition, and get us to be respected in the World.
N.Sarkozy is ready to take the deal, S.royal hasn't understood were the deal was.To bad for her.

Richard, Lyon, France

Cecilia,

I am also french and live in France. I have appreciated reading you and my point of view is more or less the same.
Enjoy Sarkozy

Bertrand, Nantes, France

oooooh, chavs and yobs rioting in France. What else is new?

Bonhomme Richard, Monroe Twp, USA/ New Jersey

3 guesses as to who the "youth rioters" from the suburbs are.

Gary, Freedom, USA

I enjoy reading comments specially those coming from the UK as they are next door neighbours , are more subject to realize that the french have become fed up with the immigration issue and decided that something new ought to be tried. So the people have chosen, the pendulum has swung and I believe that England is next and that its people will react accordingly. Jean-Guy Montpetit - Montreal, Canada

Jean-Guy Montpetit, Montreal, Canada

I am amazed at the prehistoric voting system put in place for us expats. I have lived in England for 17 years now and turned up to the polling station in London only to be told that I was still registered in France and was therefore denied the right to vote! I have registered my UK address with the french consulate many years ago. The letter was sent to to me at my british address (the only one that I have) in my name and yet they were expecting me to vote in France. Totally ludicrous. Sabotage comes to mind!!

tassadit babouri, st albans, UK

It is time for the people in France and indeed across most of the Continental European countries to wake up from the comfort zone of welfare state.....

John, dundee, uk

So Ségolãne Royal warned that Sarkozy would trigger violence and brutality and was a dangerous choice for France. Desperate tactics. Politiics imitating life or inspiring an unsavoury aspect of it? Change is long overdue but you wonder how much there will be.

Roland Lucas, Guildord, Surrey

Nathan from Chicago....what is indigenous now, may not have been indigenous thousands of years ago. Depending upon how far back one prefers to go, man has always migrated. Man did not simply pop up on any particular land mass out of the blue; every man can be accused of being an invader.

That said....Bud from Inidianapolis, I believe, has it right. We remain a dominant culture as long as we decide to protect it. Currently, our "leaders" are allowing uncontrolled hoards of foreigners to over run our country, as well as that of other countries (France/Britain). Without controlled immigration, allowing for assimilation, our countries will change as we know them.
Many of the foreigners lifestyles are at odds with the current indigenous population, thus the hostilities.
The question is: How bad does the indigenous population wish to remain so?

Mike Hermsen, Omaha, Nebraska/U.S.A.

Do you remember Alain Juppe? He wanted to "modernize" France. Do you remember Alain Savary? He wanted to "modernize" education in France (by the way, he was a socialist minister). Do you remember what happend to them? Both of them created a social crisis and paralized France for weeks and created the danger of igniting an economic crisis. Sarkozy is not going to be in a better shape. If he is going to be a French "Georges Bush", or " French Aznar (Spanish PM), or "French Blair" he will not reach better results than these doomed politicians. However, France does have the tolerance and patience of US, Spain, Italy, or UK. French people have a long history of changing the society by radical actions and getting radical changes. Bottom line is that the election of Sarkozy will definity ignite change but not a right-wing one, it will be a radical left-wing one.

Siamak, Morgan Hill, California

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess of the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s great civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage."

-Sir Alex Fraser Tytler (1742-1813), Scottish jurist and historian, professor of Universal History at Edinburgh University.

Kevin, Elgin, IL USA

that's a dramatically sad moment for france, and i guess you in the UK just see the '''modern''' US-oriented politician but that's just a detail.
politics stand also beyond that materialistic level.
and here stands the tragedy of getting used to a post-fascist selfishness-centered way to govern and communicate.

bertrand, paris, fr

Europe is in for some rough treatment in the near, mid-, and long-term future unless they start taking action now. Finally they are starting to wise up about the fifth column that the Left continues to invite into the Continent. Invite more radical Muslims, they will continue to vote for the Left so that more of their buddies come in. Eventually there will be so many of them that the political process, being a democracy, will eventually reflect their will (imagine if the democrats or republicans got an extra 5%-10% edge and began winning every election). It would be a vicious cycle, and eventually the Muslims -- democratically -- would begin transforming Europe even more, obviously away for the open, shared beliefs that they hold and more into an intolerant lifestyle. Average Europeans will not stand for that.

Michael Schroeder, Eggelsberg, Austria

Many French commentators have only seen the happy face of "Le Blairism".
If, as expected, Sarkozy is elected tonight, the citizens of France will have five years to discover its reality.
The French will not enjoy it.

John Terris, Perpignan,

who said that people were always right?

Trrr, los angeles, usa

It's by time the French stop blaming the Americans and their fellow EU neighbors--and start taking a hard look at themselves. For Pete's sake, how can a country prosper in this day and age when you have people in India and China that work a LOT more (and better in my opinion) 35 hours a week?

Dan, Washington DC,

Sarkozy is the only solution for France. Common sense means that French workers will admit to work more, if they can make more money. This is impossible under the present rules of labor laws. France needs obviously a change, Sarko
gives some hope.

Ennebick, Arbonne, France

it's incredible,the fascist hatrade against sarkozy

vigour, paris , france

I can't say either candidate presents an attractive choice.

However what is apparent is that Sarkozy will make irreversable changes to the core of French culture. It is no secret that France needs to make some economic changes however I think it is a common idea that any change is good. For me the issue is which changes, not just copying the anglosaxon model because the lifestyles and value systems are different.
Much of what Sarkozy will implement will only work by changing the French cultural mentality to that of the UK, a complete bottom up reengineering but France will no longer be France. Royale will probably bumble though the presidency and in 5 years time France will still be France and still require change but one hopes change that allows the essence of Frenchness to continue. If those Sarkozy voters really want to change thier way of life I don't understand why they just don't move to the UK?

Stephen Lord, Paris, France

Sarkozy is definitly the worst choice for France. For those who said here that France will be like Iraq if socialist win, you don't understand anything. Sarkozy already divided all the muslims in France and let the extremist to talk for the other muslims. In France religion and politics can't be mixed, and that such a good thing. Sarkozy made religions to come back in politic life, and in some of his meeting he called the name of god. That's terrificly against French values. I'm sorry.
Royal view of France is more peacefull. It can seems too sweet but she proposes a more equal society, and instead of giving already made solution she is going to solve (or at least do her best) all the problems by discussions with all the groups concerned by.
Of course Sarkozy may mean the biggest French companies will be more competitive. But Royal definitly means a better life quality for most of the French, not only for a part of them.
A bad thing is that French vote massively today, probably for him

Joffrey, Helsinki, Finland

Sarko is denying the rights of true french citizens. It is not the fault of the muslims that we have large families and french are to selfish to bring up children. if we outnumber them in a generation it is Allahs will. Their crude hedonistic promiscuous lifestyle has created a woman who won't bear children.

Dvaid Laihood Mohammed, rabat morroco,

People are mistaken for thinking that Sarkozy is the only choice, or the right choice, for France.

Many comments here are filled with paranoid and prejudice ramblings about being enslaved by radical Islam, the erosion of the French social fabric, and the need for zero-tolerance approaches to disenfranchised people. The social unrest in France is not a crisis, it does not require hardline right-wing solutions, it is linked to employment problems which can be resolved with reasoned and thought-out plans.

The standard of life in France is still high, healthcare the envy on Europe, and people in France are not subjected to the immoral work-hours inflicted upon workers in the USA.

It is quite telling that calls for intolerance, right-wing reforms, destruction of social values, and pananoias about foreigners are coming from people living in right-wing controlled countries that propagate the language of fear and us-vs-them. France must not go this way or people like Le Pen have won.

Jaques, Paris, France

sarko is the perfect candidate for france. what thatcher was for the UK. all those who are scared by change will vote massively for Royal. The others, and this time more than 50percent of the voting population; will vote Sarko.

He is said to be too liberal? not even close to how liberal the left-wing is in the UK.

mati, paris,

The big problem with France seems to be high unemployment for ethnic minorities in the suburbs.
Maybee I'm living in a dream world but seeing the statistics published from the UK last week that 20% of white people, 25% of indian and 30% live in poverty goes to show just how much Thatcherism has worked in the UK. I don't have any equivalent statistics for France but I imagine judging by the civil unrest, ethic minorities are considerably poorer on the other more socialist side of the channel.
The French shot themselves in the foot by not voting for Bayrou who I think genuinely offered the best of both candidates. Now I think Sarkozy is the best option however unpleasant a person he appears to be. Maybee initially there will be riots but in the long run the kids in the suburbs will benefit more. Royals comments about rioting where utterly undemocratic, almost an incitement to violence if she doesn't get want she wants. Her willingness to do anything for power is only rivaled by Bush

Chris, Lisboa, EU

People are knocking Royal for saying that a win for Sarkozy will mean violence, yet here we are, and they are warning of violence because Sarkozy is going to win. That sounds like she knew what was going to happen, not like she's being "anti-democratic", whatever that is supposed to mean.

Andrew, evansville, USA, Indiana

"The US right now is caught up in black/mestizo race riots all over the country..." Really?

I wonder which United States Bud lives in--I've seen no evidence of these continuous race riots in the media or in my travels around the US. Western society may not be utopian, but we aren't standing on the brink of civil war as he suggests. Assertions like this (whether they come from Americans or the French) are just paranoid fearmongering with a racist agenda.

Walt, Austin, USA

Seems like a blatant form of blackmail - and not quite in the vein of real democracy.
To wit; 'don't vote Sarko or we'll riot (again)'. If the majority have voted for one specific candidate - whosoever , isn't that a successful and democratic result?

Nigel Woodman, Lot & Garonne, France

Good choice, bad choice - it's got to be the French people's choice: as for the threat of riots, well, can we really, in any ordinary circumstances, let an electorate's free choice be overruled by force or the threat of force?

Those who think it legitimate to use such a warning as a political weapon should think again. If force becomes politically legitimate, it is the army who can command more than anybody. Is this what they truly want?

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

"Return France to French people"? What does that mean? I'm afraid some people still live in the past and stubbornly refuse to accept that things have changed.
But as to Mr Sarkozy, he does not consider people as individuals or humans but rather as potential "pluvalue" for the country. As long as you're "useful" for the country, then you have the right to be French. Otherwise, you have the right to go away. This is not acceptable, humans are not mere products you can get rid off.

Moema Rosa, Helsinki, Finland

Good job Hicham from Morocco, you just prove how much tolerance you had indeed ..... Read yourself:

"Descrbing delinquants as SCUM is just a simple example the deeply rooted intolerance and insolence of this Hungarian guy "

This hungarian guy ????
Well done. That's why we need Sarkozy.

Marc Eripret, Philadelphia, PA

Firstly, I fail to see how Todd from Chicago can claim that voting in a left-wing administration is comperable to a largely unsuccesful attempt to force a governing system on another country. Sarkozy has the potential to benefit France in some ways... but these would be overshadowed by the deep class divisions his election would bring. Royal is the best candidate, in my opinions

Paul, Glasgow, Scotland

Maybe but surely it is clear that France is in dire need of a "Peoples President" to bring her out of the Chirac years of stagnation.

France and the French have been mesmerised by this election and it is clear that many will be voting from their hearts rather than their heads.

Sarkozy is certainly not the ideal presidential canditate more perhaps a brutal politician suited to a lower position in government.

Royal is offering much but the usual mist that decends over France at such times will divert the far to serious of mind electorate.

Time for change and time for care in regard to the economy, the culture, and all that France was so famous for.

Would you buy a second hand car from Sarkozy?

Jeffrey Downes, Bampton, UK

France needs a President like Nicolas Sarkozy.

I hope he'll win tonight.

MDV, Paris, France

I find it grimly ironic that an American should describe France as being 'destroyed from within by Barbarian Hoards [sic].' So what do Columbine and Virginia Tech say about the USA today? Glass houses and stones, etc

Nick Mortimer, Toulouse, France

Let Sarkozy sort out out the unfortunate French citizens whome he denigrated two years ago.

Dr. K.A.Jaleel, DARLINGTON, United KIngdom

I am a french person, whose grand parents are from Poland, i am tired of white people being racist against other non-white people. The fact is that we white people are to blame for the worlds problem that is going on today and we know it.
If we didnt invade other lands and stole from then, we wouldnt be in this situation, and thats the truth either you like it or not.
As for the so called white americans, you surelly must note that America doesnt belong to you and it will never.
If all the minorities were to leave Europe, then all whites would have to leave America, Australia, New Zeland etc, because these lands were stolen by the so called white europeans.
The fact of the matter is that we should all work together now and stopping blaming others for our problems, other wise we will find ourselfs in a civil war.
No one rules this world, this is for all of us.

Pierre, Paris, France

French election blown up to symbolic proportions like an epic Lord of the Rings movie, good versus evil, right versus left. But does it really isn't. The true test and results will only be after a year or two in whoever wins. But at this rate, both sides are painting each other into a corner, romanticizing a stagnant ideology.

----
It's scary. Homogenous equals peace?

So what next? We push people back to where 'they came from?' Hitler had the same views for a homogenous society. He did it with brute force. And here we are doing it collectively psychologically, twisting statistics and facts to prove a point.

cecilia , new york, ny

I'm French and I've been living in the US for 15 years. I got the US citizenship 3 years ago and I voted yesterday.
Mrs. Royal would be a disaster for France. No plan, no message, no experience. She wants to help even more 60 million people who are already completely assisted. France, my country, has become the perfect place for lazy people. Don't do anything, we will help you survive.
50% of the country hates Sarkozy because he tells the truth and my fellow French citizens can't stand being told the truth. They don't want to hear that they are going to have to work hard, make sacrifices, obey the law and help the country regain self-esteem.
Watch how they are going to protest if Sarko is elected, watch how scum bags from the suburbs are going to destro everything, watch how union leaders are going to walk the streets and go on strike.
My country is going down every second and Sarkozy, even if he is not perfect is our only hope to make France a country that used to be respected.

Marc Eripret, Philadelphia, PA

I am usually very proud to be French, I love my country even if everything isn't perfect.
If N. Sarkozy becomes the president of my country, I will be very ashamed of that. He is a dangerous and selfish man who doesn't deserve to be president of France, who doesn't deserve anything but the worst things.

But I think he will be elected...I'm so disgusted and so disappointed. Where can I exile to escape this monster ?

Marine, Dijon, France

Robert from Florida is right.

France has its Muslim and black populations going at it in earnest, and it will lead to the eventual destruction of both groups.

The US right now is caught up in black/mestizo race riots all over the country, especially in California where schools, prisons, and jails, have been placed on lockdown periodically, with violence spilling out into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The black/mestizo crime rate accounts for about 75% of all violent crime, with blacks alone contributing 58%.

Tribal factions are constantly at each others throats without let up.

The dirty little secret is that diversity isn't working in the US or in all of the West. It's a failure.

If the Japanese were told by US and European officials that diversity is their strength, they would politely wait until they left the room, then roll around the floor in laughter.

Civil war will be the order of the day for Western societies and multiculturalism will die a violent death

Bud Wilson, Indianapolis, Indiana

The warnings of unrest in the event of Sarkozy victory by Segolene Royal amount to blackmailing the french voters: if
you do not vote for the 'right' candidate, you'll pay for it. This
disgusting, deeply antidemocratic atittude is often reflected in online forums where supporters of Royal threatens their
co-forumers of serious problems if they 'don't mind what they write'. It is very paradoxical that, after telling people for months that Sarkozy was antidemocratic and a 'danger' for the republic, these same people are now using fascist methods because they feel they are losing the race.

Jean-Michel , paris, france

With Sarkozy our foreign partners will soon know what french arrogance is like.
how comes a man with such economics and political accounts (as a economic chancellor, as a police minister) could pretend to the highest position and get such polls?
General de Gaulle said once "Les français sont des veaux" (The french are veal alike" he was partly right as today's results for Sarkozy will confirm.
As in Shakespeare play Henry V, I recall the word of this french lord when The Brits defeat the French arrogance at Azincourt "SHAME, INFAMOUS SHAME"
One said French society evolves with crisis; a big one is ahead
May the example of UK democracy helps us to the edge of doom

Guillaume, Paris, France

I'd like to see Sarkozy get in and reverse the lefty tolerance and the ruinous welfare system which is spreading like a cancer to the whole of Europe. He is a man with vision and tenacity and the backbone to put it through and make it work.

Royal is a typical French woman, superficially good looking, no substance, all hot air. ( Remember the French invented the hot air balloon!). She wants to legalise the position of millions of undocumented illegals who are bleeding the system.

Sarkozy will get rid of them and block further immigration of unskilled potential leeches and trouble makers.

Mike Preston, Surrey,

Well you know what lets put it this way plain and simple.
You invite me to your home, now A) would I have the right to walk in with dirty shoes, stomp all over the carpet using vulgarities at random, grabing the woman of the houses rearend (basically treating your home as I wish) or B) Treat it with as much respect as possible by taking off my shoes being mannered and decent? Well the same is for immigration I am the son of and italian immigrant and my wife is an immigrant herself. So as such if we wanted to have Italy or Chile we should go back there period. Same with people from the middle east Mexico where ever you are from if you want it to be like there go there. THis is the first generation of immigrants who expect the host country to bow to them.

Brian, Winnipeg, Canada

RE: Robert, Ocala, Florida

Absolutely correct....

Miss Royal would be the wrong choice but whether Sarkozy will 'save' France (and Europe) remains to be seen.

Joe, Boston,

Sarkosy is looking like he is going to win. The French people will come to regret their choice and I bet that he will eventually provoke the French into another may '68. That would be ironic, wouldn't it? He is too arrogant to see that coming. Mark my word.

John, London, UK

I presume all of these "youths" are Buddists...

The religion of peace doesen't factor of course...

James, Basingstoke, GREAT Britain

John in GA. Could you tell me of one, just one "Islamic Republic?"

Tony, Denver, USA

Todd
USA,

Sarkozy is right. Those people are scum. We have problems in the us, but we don't act like a bunch of wound up morons. I mean if you want France to end up like IRAQ, then vote socialist, because they will let these people flood in by the millions. You will be over ran and soon you will be facing the same thing. Remember just 10% of muslims around the world are quite happy to see westerners dead. Thats 150 million muslims. I dont think this guy is being intolerant. He recognizes a threat and maybe he will deal with it. France cant keep surrendering to outside forces forever ya know.

Todd, Chicago, US

Ady is right. Sarkozy is a very bad choice. Not as liberal as many people think, complete intolerance for delinquents (only penal issues whereas all statistics prove that is ineffectiveness), and an amazing tolerance for fundamentalisms. Politicians can't be so demagogue, they have to deal.

Tristan, Le Mans, France

France is not yet ready for a woman president. Despite Sarkozy being thatcherite he may bring in new legislation that will do the country some good. His policies will probably be very unpopular but in time his policies will be seen as something that has brought about a better France for them. Things have to get worse before they can get better, this is what might happen to France and her people. Sarkozy will most likely bring chenges for the better.

Tom Hreben, Eastbourne, England

Just as many as other French men and women, I deeply hope that, from tonight, France will....highlight values such as "brotherhood" .
We are together and not one against another.
We are all on the same boat and not in a race.
We can share everything we have and not divide between the poor and the rich, people who early go working and the other (I don't believe that so much people like staying at home with no job).
We have enough for all except if some of us wants always more... f

Clémence, Paris, France

Nathan from Chicago is correct. I think he should give up his home or apartment, car and everything else he owns to a Native American family and move a remote part of the earth.

Eric, Maine, USA

France needs a strong President.

The French people want a strong President.

It is shameful for Royal to say that, effectively, "if the French people don't vote for me then the Muslim immigrants/Leftists will riot".

That is not democracy - it is anarchy. Such comments bare the Socialist soul.

A few centuries ago Europeans set about colonising countries, just as as many countries had previously tried to colonise Europe (Turkey and the North African Moors for example) but they were expelled and those countries, just like Spain, southern France and the Balkans, were returned to their native populations.

So too should France be for the French. If people cannot accept the outcome of a democratic election and respect the rights of the French to preserve their people, their country, their culture and its prosperity then they should leave - and that includes Royal.

Geoffroy du Bois, Josselin, France

Sarkozy has just about the right dose of ingredients necessary to turn France around. Zero tolerance worked for Mayor Giuliani in New York and the city is definitely all the better for it. France needs a forceful president, a "leader" with clear ideas not one that has to ask advisors to construct a program upon which to lean upon. This does not mean mean that he will govern alone. He has a huge challenge ahead of him, and a very short period in which to accomplish (he is going to introduce a maximum of two presidential terms). I wish him all the best !

Ann Johnson, Brussels, Belgium

Just as many other French men and women, I deeply hope that, from tonight on, France will be "cleaned-up" from her despair and set up on a new way by her new leader : Nicolas Sarkozy, who is a perfect representation of a French citizen, that is, initially coming from a foreign country, then integrated in the "French fabrics" and eventually more concerned than so many others "real natives" by what France basically means : a so "glamour" country for ideas, initiative, freedom and Liberty.

Anne
Paris

anne argillet, Paris, France

sarko will be surely the worst president in throughout the history of France. his racial views and intolerable opinions will lead france to the abyss from which it will be too difficult to get out.

Descrbing delinquants as SCUM is just a smple example the deeply rooted intolerance and insolence of this Hungarian guy who is dreaming to govern the land of inlightenment.

Hicham chetoufi, rabat, morocco

Britain desperately needs a Sarkozy to crack down on scroungers, yobs, thugs and terrorists after Blair's misfits have allowed the country to be hijacked by minority groups. At least France has the strength of will to stand up and fight for its people and not allow ethnic minorities to infiltrate the very core of a country and change its values, culture and compassion out of all recognition. The US went through a paranoid phase in the 50's worried about commies under the bed, but today a real threat is here with some European countries already being taken over by extremist Islamic groups. The UK & Holland with their failed 'multiculturalism' have have already succumbed to the pandering for special treatment by these groups. Hopefully Sarkozy will lead the way in Europe and make it very clear to these groups that if they want to practice extreme aspects of their religion or beliefs, the doors are open for them to move to countries that have no civil rights, justice or welfare state

Mike, Denia, Spain

I hope that Sarkozy wins the Presidential Election and becomes President of the Republic. As a frequent visitor to France and particularly Paris, I shutter at what I see as a continued deterioration in the fabric of the society in France, what was once a beacon of enlightenment and sophistication.
Now when one travels to the outer suburbs one cannot but notice that this is not the France, a important country of Europe. To see the decline in the moral fabric of the society, principally emanating from the non Europeans, ie, the Algerians and other ethnic kinds of Arab and African stock to include Roma Gypsies, begging at every vantage point and corner available saddens me greatly. The same kind of intrusion of similar kinds of immigration is happening in my own country, Ireland, but unfortunately, we do not have a Sarkozy to vote for, but only P C brigade. I certainly hope that Sarkozy is a man of his word and sets an example to the rest of Europe and rules France for the French.

James Gough, Dublin, ireland

You have misunderstood something. There may be riots whoever wins, because rioters do what rioters do, just like football hooligans.
At least Sarko will do something about the scum, and maybe France will be returned to decent law abiding people.
I hope so, which is why I am voting Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ensemble tout devient possible.

Peter GODDARD, LE ROURET, France, EU

Pat from Florida.Where have you been, the US has been ethnic/racial encalves for most of its exsistence and this was imposed by white rule. I say if the US breaks up then good because Euro-Americans have to accept that they do not own this continent which they stole from the Natives!
The Mestizos (Amerindian+European) are taking back the south-west from the Euro colonisers.Do you think you can hold onto to stolen property indefinetly??
Most of the world's problems are due to non indigenous populations dominating the indigenous.
French and Brits can't whine about non-Europeans in their midst when it was colonialism & wanting cheap labour that brought these people there.

Nathan, Chicago, USA

No multicultural/multiracial nation in the history of mankind has succeeded with most of them breaking apart in bloody conflict.

France and the rest of Europe was once a homogeneous, relatively peaceful society compared to the situation right now. All countries have been beset with so many riots, conflicts and clashes among the native populations and immigrants it is clear they too will be on the scrap heap of failed societies in the near future.

The U.S., being the most extremely pluralistic country of all the Western world, with periodic riots, and continuous tensions and clashes between the tribal factions, is assured to degenerate into Civil War II. Europe will follow.

Only the mostly homogeneous countries like Japan, China, Russia, etc., will survive in the near future intact, while the West is embroiled in civil conflict, although they will suffer severe economic repercussions when the West implodes.

The US will break up into ethnic enclaves in our lifetime.

Robert, Ocala, Florida

France has been in a dream world for a generation. They are being destroyed from within by barbarian hoards and their own lethargy. I can't say if Sarkozy can turn it around but more socialist nonsense would only make it worse as it always does.

Hugh Jardohn, Phoenix, USA

The label "zero tolerance" is an invention of the left. It means to close one's eyes to all common sense when giving out punishment for an offense. This is practiced on the left, not the right.

Preventing rioters from burning down your city is not what I would call "zero tolerance."

Pat, Boston, Massachusetts

I think he is the right person for the time or France is going to become
another tolerant Islamic Republic.

John Kelley, Cordele, GA

Sarkozy must be elected for France to truly modernise, particularly in the economic sector. Although he still partially clings to the French model of the welfare state, the socialist policies of Royal would plunge France into simply more turmoil. Irnoically it is the more liberal policies of Sarkozy that would really help the huge unemployment in the suburbs by increasing flexibility in the labour market. Although protecting labour from being sacked in merely increases unemployment by discouraging employers from employing young workers because they would be difficult to fire if even if they were bad at the job. By liberalising the French economy Sarkozy would create employment for the right people in the right jobs, which must surely be the main concern for France considering their high level of long term unemployment.

Oli Baggaley, Oxford, UK

Sarkozy is bad choice for France and rest of the world ; zero tolerance, hard line attitude and rugged behaviour is destructive Bush style which can only bring intolerance, violence and suffering of innocents - France, if you chose him '' cheers'' and ''God blass you''

Ady, Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina