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From The Times

May 7, 2007

France votes decisively for Sarkozy and change

Charles Bremner in Paris

Nicolas Sarkozy won the French presidency yesterday with a solid majority that he described as a mandate for a moral renaissance and the radical reform of the welfare state.

Thousands celebrated late into the night after Mr Sarkozy, 52, the leader of President Chirac’s Union for a Popular Movement, defeated Ségolène Royal, the Socialist, with 53 per cent of the vote. Their bitter duel drew a near-record turnout of 85 per cent. “Together we are going to write a new page of history,” the victor told cheering supporters.

Ms Royal accepted defeat with a smile, telling supporters that she had relaunched the Left. “Something has risen which will not stop. Let us keep intact the energy and joy . . . of this campaign,” she said. Her Socialist colleagues were, however, bitter over their party’s third presidential defeat in a row. “The flag of the Left lies on the ground,” Laurent Fabius, one of the most senior Socialists, said.

Mr Sarkozy delivered a lyrical victory speech, promising to be “the president of all the French” and to introduce immediate and radical reform. “The French have chosen to break with the ideas, habits and behaviour of the past. I will restore the value of work, authority, merit and respect for the nation.”

He offered friendship to the US, but urged Washington to act on climate change. He also told fellow European leaders that he expected them to join him in making the EU more protective. “It must not be the Trojan horse for globalisation’s ills,” he said.

By choosing Mr Sarkozy, France turned a deaf ear to warnings that his plans to restore the work ethic, cut welfare and fight crime would lead to violence. Police were out in force in Paris and in the immigrant districts of other cities; there were clashes in the capital last night when protestors smashed up cars and bus shelters while police fired tear gas in response.

The election’s result – the first win since 1969 by a candidate from the outgoing President’s party – marks a change of generation after 12 years under President Chirac, 74. During the campaign all candidates offered paths for ending the relative economic decline and moral malaise that has afflicted France for 15 years. Mr Sarkozy had promised the most radical – and un-French – recipe. “Work more to earn more” was his simple slogan.

Ms Royal’s defeat is expected to lead to Socialist party bloodletting after elections for a new National Assembly in six weeks. Voters are expected to return a parliament dominated by the UMP.

Timetable for the handover

May 6 Voters cast ballots in the second round of the presidential election. The new President will be elected to a five-year term that ends in 2012

May 16 Deadline for the Constitutional Council, the body that supervises the election, to announce the official results. President Chirac, elected in 1995 and reelected in 2002, must hand over power to the new head of state. Dominique de Villepin, the Prime Minister, presents the resignation of the Government to the new President. A caretaker government is appointed

May 18 Deadline for candidates to register for the legislative elections

June 10 First round of the legislative elections. Voters are choosing representatives to the 577 seats of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament

June 17 Second round of legislative elections. A new government is appointed

Congratulations!

I deeply think that he was / is the best choice we had.
Even though there has been some bashing about his being such an outspoken person ,when he called those people setting cars on fire and treatening people in their homes ; "scum"...but that's what they are and that's what most people think.

There is nothing " xenophobic " about telling the truth, is there?

He is a true European and if economic growth comes along with a sharp decline in unemeployment, the French people will reconcile with the EU and and the prospects of a Constitutional Treaty will naturally come on the agenda.

He said "France " was back.....I wish hime good luck....

Pascal-Pierre, Dinan/france, European Union

Afourkeef, Clemenceau was not at all Marshall contrary to Petain !
Howewer, I agree, Sarkoy must follow the path which three of the main French, democratic right-wing politicians of the 20th century, i.e Poincarré, Reynaud and De Gaulle, opened : budget orthodoxy, pragmaticism, democratical authority inside, openess and boldness in the foreign affairs, and faith in "une certaine idéee de la France".

Vive la République, et avant tout VIVE LA FRANCE !

tony, münchen, Germany

"They respectively account for about 20, 75 and 5% of the population."

And will soon become 75, 24 and 1% of the population, with the president "fighting" for the 1%. Hurray for capitalism!

starling, Lancaster,

Joffrey,

e words "social" and "solidarity" will get stronger!

How can France be a social country without money in the bank accounts? Without innovation?

You belong to the France that doesn't mind to borrow money to live and is blind to the reality: over 40% of the GDP goes straight for paying the State, none of the debt goes to ambitious investments in new technologies in sectors, such as clean tech or Healthcare! What's the last invention from France? The TGV?

You belong to the France which believes is either black or white. If you get more liberal, you have to lose your solidarity! Such a simple view. France needs to be changed! Otherwise you can be sure that the solidarity systems, such as "La securite sociale", will disappear and that in 10 years time, pensioners could be certain to carry on working very late!

Finally, 53% is a very strong score! 6 point difference is huge! And bear in mind that more 80% of the French voted!

Alexis

Alexis, Paris, France

At last someone has got the keys to implement the long awaited reforms in a too much subsidized "Welfare state system" which has for so long guaranteed lots of benefits & perks to everybody. Now the time has come for Action & it's a matter of "give & take" for those who r really willing to put the hours in & Work more to Earn more. 300,000 jobs needed in Building & construction & so many elswhere .. yes There r jobs in France (The Early Bird catches the Worms).
The time of : Just sit back & get the unemployment benefits paid by all the workforce is gone.
Let's only hope The extremes (Far Right & Far Left) won't set the country on fire just for fun or to thwart the new government in power.
John
English Teacher living in France

Jean marie, Paris, FRANCE

53% not a good majority ?? We have to put up with a Government in 'Royaume Uni' who only received 34% of the vote and a change of 'president' will not even be endorsed by the voters. Count yourselves lucky that you have a democratic voting system

ROD WRIGHT, BROMLEY, uk

After the revolution, the Huguenots and aristocrats left France for England and Germany. Deprived of their wealth and talent, France was left like a moribund reeling with its stagnant economy. Sarko could be the man to help France reverse its fortune. La France se réveille, vive la France.

Costanzia, La la land,

I'm very happy of the results of these elections, most of all for the future of my children (there are 8 and 5). 25% of the young generation are currently unemployed despite a high level of diplomas for some of them. Nobody can't bear that more a long time. Things must change. There's no doubt that N. Sarkozy made a lot of promises but, from my point of view, he's the only person in France who can take up challenges France has to face.

Good luck for Mr Sarkozy. I request French who didn't vote for him will respect the rules of democracy and will let him set up his reforms.

Jean-Marc, Toulouse, France

When even the disdainful & haughty French (whom we Yanks are happy to ignore, excoriate or gush over) rouse from the torpor of their myopic passivity in the face of socialist-leaning political & economic stagnation, when even they decide against appeasing the social threat of unassimilated, rampaging Muslim youths, etc, who'd taken to torching French cityscapes as a means of unenviable redress, when even the French decide to come home to pragmatic reform, and instead of utopian excursions embrace the youngish, articulate & handsome Nicholas Sarkozy, he who referred to those renegade youths as "scum" & who wholeheartedly embraces US-style Reaganite and/or Thatcherite reforms and a closer bond with the allegedly "world hated" US, what sustenance & new found political hope may we Americans derive from Sarkozy's surprisingly robust victory, his mandate for change! Long live the new found wisdom of the politically educable French people who see grave dangers & now meet them boldly!

Robert C. Tally, Richmond, California, USA

HURRAY!

Finally a man of reason has come to France!

Audrey

Audrey, London,

Hey, im living in the southern part of america, and i just had to express my excitement over france's election turnout, I think a more conservative leader is just what france needs to whip them back into shape, I just hpe they can handle a little work

George Dodge, Florence, South Carolina, USA

I'm deeply ashamed to be French today. Individualism and selfishness have triumphed. I am sad. Shame on us French people.

Celine, Paris, france

Hopefully the UK wont be too far behind

Rich, Canterbury, Kent UK

Congrats !! Viva la France !! from the folks of Oregon City oregon USA, WE Hope to continue our historic friendship now in a more historic and cooperative way as in the glory days of our republics!

John Bosserman, OREGON CITY, USA, Oregon

Sarkozy claims to be a "conservative" but really we have no idea what his views are. It's very easy to call yourself a conservative (especially in france), but does he have any principle at all? My prediction is that he will be corrupted by power, make band-aid fixes to deep rooted problems, and in general be more of the same. France needs true laissez-faire, and politicians willing to return power back to the people in the form of a decentralized government.

brody, asdf, asdf

Les Français en force!
I hope that Mr. Sarkozy will relaunch our country! At this moment, I think he is the best to do it... Soon, a new government will be appointed with great people, like F.Fillon and J-L.Borloo...

France is back, as Alexis says!!

Thibaut, Bergerac, France

Unfortnately, despite all the hope promulgated in these pages, France now seems destined to become England Mark II. The coming years in France will see the rise of the litigous, self-centred, have-now pay-later, CCTV, binge-drinking, cult-of-youf, armed crime, terrorist target, no-fault, credit-based, property obsessed, biometricked U.S. lapdog culture that made me leave Britain in the first place.
Where on earth can I go next? Darfour is starting to look attractive.

George Lennan, La Rochelle, France

Is France important? I'm not sure, but this election has received more attention than anything else out of that country for the past 5 years. Economically, the socialist way has been on the defensive for some time. Royal could not have done much anyhow.

Ben, London,

Interesting how Louise compares Chirac to Bush!

Anyway, we can notice one thing: France is (roughly) made of poor people, average people and rich people (if you let me sum up).
They respectively account for about 20, 75 and 5% of the population. Were we going to leave the power to someone desperately fighting for the 25% always poor and always complaining, or have the 75% that work, never complain, do not especially have an easy life care about themselves first? Heh that's democracy, and you have to accept it.

It is our civic right to choose what is the best for most of the people (and not in relation to our own selfish little interest, like most of voters seem to believe), but it is also our human right to help out those in need. Associations can do a lot of good too; but I believe that before France focuses on socialism again it needs to bring money back in, and I believe Nicolas Sarkozy will help us do that.

Congratulations to Madame Royal, who had to fight this battle alone!

Alexia, Montpellier, France

Congrats, France! Finally a European country has woken up and realized socialism will ultimately fail. I believe they will see a dramatic increase in economic growth and thus quality of life-the lazy ones can go back to their own country.

todd, detroit, U.S.A.

France could not continue as it is, even the socialists knew that ,to borrow from it's children to fund the present is one thing but it was starting to borrow from it's grand children too. Free market economics will actually grow the middle class not stifle it.There is a reason why France is the unhappiest country in Europe (Subjective well-being map by Adrian White Leicester Uni) it's because Chirac thought winning for France was controlling the EU in France's favour and doing deals with African dictatorships.It's time for positive Foreign policy , economic well being creating property value growth and perhaps a Franco-Anglo axis of power promoting genuinely ethical foreign policy.Well done France this will be like winning the World Cup 10 times over.

Nigel, Bermuda,

Not suprising that Sarkozy won given that he ran on policy and Royal ran on ad hominem lifestyle criticism. European anti-Americanism seems to me to be rooted in the fact that for better and worse, the US is changing the world and the Continent is not. Sarkozy's controversial personality can unleash France's energy so France can once again accomplish something on the world stage.

Mike, Pittsburgh, USA

Thats a good news from a neutral perspective.

socialist/communist would have ruined the country which is already on downward spiral. France debt is record high.

sarkozy cannot do much, but he can hold out longer against the might of rising asian powers.

Since lots of socialists here tend to blame america, let me remind them that it was america that french, who couldnt defend themseleves in ww2 and than gave them 1billion dollars as aid in 1960s as france's economy was struggling.

Ash, guildford, UK

To Sandy in London who remarks that Sarkozy had already been int he Government for ten years..........that is the whole reason why he wanted to be the President because ONLY the President can change things. It has taken a long slog for even the name 'Sarkozy' to be acceptable to the French people. I think he will be a one of the greats.

JCL, LONDON,

I'm glad that darkozy won yeterday because he represents a real change in politic life and he will carry my generation to a new world where work will be the best way to succee!!i'm only 17 but really engegd in politics and i'm going to vote for the legislatives(i'll be 18) for the UMP to have a real legitimity. I hope a real change today after all those years of inactiviy.
Les etudiants avec Sarkozy

gregoire, paris, france

I do not know what the future holds for France.
What I do know is that there is now hope for significant change.
It Mme Royal had been the choice for President,then France would have stood still at best,and probably gone backwards as socialism/communism exerted their negative influence.
France is lucky to have a courageous man at the helm.
Bravo M.Sarkozy and good luck to you and your team.
France is in your hands.

Nic, royan, France

Well done steve gillamos from Romford, I couldn't have put it better myself. Further, this red scourage is thinks it has a mandate to run this country when it does not. The voters of the UK deserve an election...what's the point of the notion of self-determination if the governments just ignores calls for an election.

Bernard, Islington, Islington

I was going to write my own view but when I read another reader's comments, they echoed my own. So, on that note, Well done Stevgillamos from Romford, I couldn't have put it better myself.

Bernard, Islington, Islington

I hope that the defeat of french socialism will inspire the defeat of spanish socialist and their pro ETA politics.

F.Bonmati, New Jersey, USA

To answer your question Sandy, he has been making remarkable progress as home secretary getting rid of delinquants.
Sarkozy didn't make any radical economic changes because the president of france has been Chirac for the last 10 years and he is a cheese eating surrender monkey who has always backed down to trade unions if they show the least signs of discontent.
Also Chirac intensely dislikes Sarkozy and did everything he could to preventing him becoming president.

jbland, mondeville, france

yea Sandy, because the ministre de l'interieur is the one that can change everything as he wants it! being prime minister and president is overrated, everyone knows that! boo sarkozy why didn't you change the country's situation before

Alexia, Montpellier, France

Sarkozy got 6.2% more votes than Royal (amongst the 84% who voted). Roughly, for every 11 people who voted in his favour, 10 voted against, and 4 abstained. Its is hardly the 'thumping mandate' some journalists are claiming. France is almost as divided as the USA was on Bush and everyone should recognise this.

Alistair, Strasbourg, France

M.Sarkozy has just been successful at perpetrating his biggest swindle yet!
The future in France promises to be bright for golden parachutes beneficiaries, american pension funds and tax evaders.It may not be so exciting for Airbus workers!

Jean Alain, Cherbourg-Octeville, France

He was already 10 years at the government, why he didn't change anything before? your title is a joke, I thought journalists were more clever

Sandy, London,

Millions upon millions of socialists, communists, marxists, full of anguish and crying into their cups.
Keep it coming!!!

steve, birmingham,

Well done France. I only wish we in the UK could rid ourselves of this socialist scourge.

stevgillamos, Romford,

It is sad that the price France pays for economic growth will be the abandonment of internal solidarity and social support. Yet another great power falls to Capitalism and America. I thought France would hold out a bit longer. I suspect France has just sold its soul for wealth. I hope I am wrong.

Alex, London,

Close to U.S?

How to help the economy of France?

The answer will be "Close to China ".

enzo, Paris,

I hope that Nicolas Sarkozy will be his onw man and adopt a purely European and French foreign policy and above all not take any marching orders neither from Washington or any other foreign powers.. He should be a combination of Louis the XIV and Napoleon to restore the grandeur of France.He should nominate a Prime Minister of the caliber of Marechal Georges Clemenceau.

Andre Afourkeeff, Henderson, Nevada, USA

Arnaud, you are probably too young to remenber that when socialist took over power in 1981, they claimed it was an overflow with 51%... By reading your writing, I note exageration is still the mood of socialist supporters. Such lack of pragmatism started to burry our grave already !
I suggest to keep romantism away from politics...

Then, it's a real victory for democracy (85% of participation), an undoubtful victory for Nicolas Sarkozy, and a real chance for our country.

Frédéric Clouard, Voisins le Bretonneux, France

Alexis- France has always been there- racisme, sexisme, chauvinism, et mais oui avec le mot 'entrepreneur'- all in the dictionary bien sur. A beautiful country I agree but a divided one, to right and to left and historically that has spelled danger. France rests where it always was. Marie, Saintes, France.

M. de Pléave, Saintes, France

More of the same. Politics isnt for the people - and its a pipedream to think it ever will be. Sarkoszy is from the same mould as Chirac, from the same mould as Blair, from the same mould as Bush. Just more of the same.

Louise, London,

Vive la France !

Jo Sullivan, Liverpool, Merseyside

"Le grandeur" ... he never said that, its la grandeur

Thomas, Valletta, Malta

Leaders around the world are following the tried and true formula of Australia's John Howard!

Paul Neri, Canberra , Australia

Great! Now Bush won't feel lonely when the British poodle leaves, because he'll get a genuine French poodle instead......

Peter, London,

it's a very sad day for the democracy in france ...
we could imagine the beginning of tears , of struggles etc...
I hope Socialist will win legislative elections, because if Sarkozy runs the state alone it will be very dangerous.

Aurelien, Rouen, France

Stop saying that sarkozy won with a wide majority: he won only 53 % !

arnaud, massy, France

That's a very black day. Contrary to Alexis I would say it's a horrible day in French History.
Yes the word "entrepreneur" will means something new. But the words "social" and "solidarity" will be banned from the dictionary.
Yes French biggest companies may become very high, yes some others will also grow up. But quality of life in FRance will get lower for the working class. The country will be more divided than before. Middle class will disappear in FRance, and not in the good way.
Listen Sarkozy talking. He is using the same words than the Philippe Petain or in a less extremist example, the right party in the 50's.
I so wish I could be wrong, but it's hard to believe.

Joffrey, Hesinki, Finland

France is back!
It won't be simply the "European Touristic" attraction that you know...
Soon, the word "entrepreneur" will mean something again in the French dictionary!

A beautiful day for a beautiful country.

France is back!

Congratulations, thanks to your energy, Mister Sarkozy!

Alexis

Alexis, Paris, France