French candidate to the presidency is elected with 53.06% of the votes
The French have chosen!
Monday 7 May 2007
On the 6th of May 2007 at 20.00, the face of the new president of France was unveiled on the national television with right-wing Nicolas Sarkozy obtaining 53.06%, a confortable advance over his leftist rival Segolene Royal who collected 46.94% of the votes.
Commenting Sarkozy’s victory, the French newspaper Le Monde stresses a “methodic campaign”, describing UMP leader as someone who hates to lose, voluntarily unpredicable and omnipresent in the media. But the reasons for this victory also have to do with the system of values promoted by Sarkozy, reconciliating the right-wing electorate with itself and denouncing the politically correct speech that characterises the French left. For many French, Sarkozy incarnates the leader that France urgently needs to reform itself. The French social model is archaic and constrained where a flexible response is needed. Sarkozy’s conservative and liberal ideas based on “work” and the slogan “no rights without duties”, his neo-gaullist approach of the state and his stance on immigration have convinced the rightists, some far-rightists, some centrists and even some leftists to rally his camp!
A few moments after his election, in his victory speech, Sarkozy sent a clear message to Brussels, saying that “France is back in Europe”, adding that he was “delighted at the perspective of working together to reinforce the European Union”. The Commission’s reaction was quick as Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Nicolas Sarkozy for his election. “France has always had a central place in the European political scene and it is not possible to have a strong Europe without a European France”, Barroso said, insisting on his “complete confidence in Nicolas Sarkozy... to play a driving role in resolving the institutional question and consolidating European politics”
German Chancellor presiding the EU Angela Merkel also congratulated Nicolas Sarkozy for his victory and said that she was looking forward to meeting him, and having a “first exchange of views” on Europe.
The election of Sarkozy to France’s presidency is likely to confirm a trend that has seen Europe going right for a few years, illustrating a general acceptance that socialism is outdated and doesn’t respond to the economic challenges or the people’s needs in a globalised world.
Moreover, Sarkozy’s election will pave the way for Mrs Merkel’s plan to revive the Constitution before the EU parliamentary elections in 2009. His ambition for a mini-treaty on institutional reforms voted by means of parliamentary vote is a clear sign sent to the European leaders. With France joining the pro-constitution camp, after Britain and Czech Republic, the opposition camp is now reduced to the sole will of Poland and the Netherlands. Two more and the bet will be a success, Mrs. Merkel!
Sources: Le Monde, EUobserver