Sarkozy wins in France (Wizbang)

With a victory that could build momentum for upcoming parliamentary elections, Nicolas Sarkozy, the center-right candidate of the Union for a Popular Movement (the current governing party) defeated socialist Segolene Royal for the Presidency of France. Sarkozy is known as more pro-American, anti-terrorist, and reformist than either his predecessors or his opponent. Francois de Beaupuy and Helene Fouquet report for Bloomberg:

Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president of France as Socialist Segolene Royal conceded defeat.

Sarkozy, candidate of the governing Union for a Popular Movement, took between 53 percent and 53.2 percent of the vote against between 46.8 percent and 47 percent for Royal, a Socialist, according to exit polls by Ipsos SA, Ifop, CSA, and TNS-Sofres.

The president-elect, 52, overcame criticism that he was too divisive and too sympathetic to the U.S., persuading voters that he was best-suited to spur economic growth. Sarkozy, interior minister and finance minister for four years under President Jacques Chirac, promised to cut taxes, reduce the number of civil servants, curb immigration and toughen sentencing.

``This very large victory will allow Sarkozy to rally the largest possible union for change,'' said Patrick Ollier, a UMP lawmaker and president of the National Assembly. ``Nicolas Sarkozy is accountable to the people, not to parties.''

The whole article is at the link above. Sarkozy is also expected to make noise in the EU, which can hardly be a bad thing.

Comments (59)

I guess the French will be ... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by BillyBob | May 6, 2007 2:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

BillyBob:

I guess the French will be celebrating Sexo de Mayo for their historic defeat of the socialists on May 6th.

Posted on May 6, 2007 14:50

I hope he does well to rest... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Skul | May 6, 2007 3:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Skul:

I hope he does well to restore the lost pride of France.

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:14

Everyone comes to their sen... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Jo | May 6, 2007 3:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jo:

Everyone comes to their senses occasionally.

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:15

Didn't Royal threaten viole... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Gringo | May 6, 2007 3:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Gringo:

Didn't Royal threaten violence if Sarkozy won?

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:20

Yes, she is going to throw ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Zelsdorf Ragshaft III | May 6, 2007 3:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III:

Yes, she is going to throw a hissy fit. Sounds a bit like the Socialist in Mexico when he lost. What is with these leftists? Do they think they get to threaten us with violence if we don't see things their way? Fuck em.

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:27

Gringo, yeah, there was tha... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Jo | May 6, 2007 3:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Gringo, yeah, there was that threat of violence if the other person won! Looks like everyone knows the French lefties are capable of wussy temper tantrums as well as american lefties. lol.

Lefties worldwide need to grow up.

Aren't you glad we're in the grown ups political party? Me too. :)

Can he clean up the horribl... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Jo | May 6, 2007 3:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Can he clean up the horrible mess that the liberals have made? It will be hard to do.

Meanwhile isn't it great to see a country full of liberals FINALLY wake up and smell the cafe au lait?

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:48

Allons enfants de la Patrie... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by epador | May 6, 2007 3:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

epador:

Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé.
Contre nous, de la tyrannie,
L'étandard sanglant est levé

Well, the flag may get bloody soon if the left decides to riot.

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:51

Ironic how their liberal br... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Steve of Norway | May 6, 2007 3:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Steve of Norway:

Ironic how their liberal brethren here seem to be on a power push. Not that it will last long.

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:52

she may have threatened vio... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Justrand | May 6, 2007 3:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Justrand:

she may have threatened violence in the streets if she lost...but at least (so far) she hasn't claimed the "election was stolen" (like Gore and Kerry)

Posted on May 6, 2007 15:55

Random thoughts on this inc... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Elroy Jetson | May 6, 2007 4:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Elroy Jetson:

Random thoughts on this incredible result:

1) I thought pigs would fly before France elected a president who admires America.
2) Look for the MSM here to NOT report on this historic election. Sober and unbalanced analysis of this result only makes Bush look good, albeit indirectly.
3) It puts France ahead of Britain in the race to reverse the failed social policy of dhimmitude plaguing Europe.
4) The all too powerful labor unions, socialists, communists, and the islamists are going to hate the results. I say, "Pass the popcorn!" and lets watch.

Posted on May 6, 2007 16:04

Where are the trolls? What... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Jo | May 6, 2007 4:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Where are the trolls? What say you trolls?

I guess they're still at church. *snicker*

Posted on May 6, 2007 16:28

Very bad news for Hillary! ... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by ted | May 6, 2007 4:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

ted:

Very bad news for Hillary! Royal was at least very attractive to look at (albeit wrong politically and even a majority of Frence women voted for Sarko). So for Hillary, a completely unattractive candidate, she's finished!!!

Posted on May 6, 2007 16:51

Also, Sarko is a big win fo... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by ted | May 6, 2007 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Also, Sarko is a big win for the GOP, for fighting Islamo's and a big loss for the Dem's.

Posted on May 6, 2007 16:53

Some sort of common sense H... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Steve of Norway | May 6, 2007 4:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Some sort of common sense HAD to finally seep into these people. They're being overrun by Islamic punks, their economy has been tanking and that reputation of sucking up to dictators at every turn.

Posted on May 6, 2007 16:55

Royal ran an absolutely ter... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Paul Hooson | May 6, 2007 5:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul Hooson:

Royal ran an absolutely terrible campaign, focusing instead on nonsense fringe issues such as curbing violence on TV instead of attacking the issues that are ruining the working class in France, including a stagnant economy, stagnant wages, and growing poverty in the immigrant neighborhoods. Immigrants are lured to France with the promise of workers needed for French industry, but instead often find unemployment and poverty, and many youths often end involved in gangs, in crime, or supporting Islamic fundamentalism or even terrorism. For a Socialist, Royal was an absolutely terrible candidate with little positive for the working class in her marginal issue campaign which was far less socialist, than simple "nanny-state" meddling in tiny issues of no real importance.

If Sarkozy only involves himself in a right wing "law & order" type presidency and fails to address growing issues of poverty, then maybe massive worker general strikes can shut the country down and force a new election with serious candidates instead of two clowns like Royal and Sarkozy who ignored the working class.

French voters deserved a serious campaign addressing the important issues that are a matter of survival for many working class voters, but instead became a goofy exchange between "law & order" idiot Sarkozy, and antiTV violence kook, Royal. Neither seemed to have a clue.

Posted on May 6, 2007 17:19

Paul H, always raining on t... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by ted | May 6, 2007 5:22 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul H, always raining on the parade. Please go away, at least today -- and let us bask in what is a great victory for Western Civilization!

Posted on May 6, 2007 17:22

This is a very telling even... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Althor | May 6, 2007 5:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Althor:

This is a very telling event in Dhimmi Europe. If the hateful French have conceded their obnoxiousness to the immediacy of stark reality and rejected the secularist, Dhimmi, "socialist" candidate in favor of a pro-American (everyone knows the French made "America-hating" into a vogue) "conservative" - by their standards - you can really say that the "feces" is hitting the French "ventilation system"!

On the other hand, here we are in America cozying up to defeatist Democrats and sucking up to Nancy Pelosi and company, and placing them in power to deal to us more of that "socialistic" tripe the French, of all people, have now out of necessity rejected! Go figure! We must be watching too much American Idol!

Althor

Posted on May 6, 2007 17:57

instead of attacki... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Jumpinjoe | May 6, 2007 6:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jumpinjoe:

instead of attacking the issues that are ruining the working class in France, including a stagnant economy, stagnant wages, and growing poverty in the immigrant neighborhoods

I'm sure she had to avoid those topics because as the socialist candidate she would have to mention her "fixes" to those problems.

Gee, I wonder what those would have been?

More money, higher taxes? What is the tax rate in France now? 50% for the middle class, 75% for the affluent? It's something ridiculous I'm quite sure.

But we know her "fixes" were a given and didn't need no splain'in.

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:00

Gee, where was Paul's insig... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Jay Tea | May 6, 2007 6:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jay Tea:

Gee, where was Paul's insights and observations before the elections?

There's a fine line between analysis and hindsight -- and Paul seems to be one of those that withholds judgment until after the fact, then explains why what happens was inevitable.

It's kind of like George Tenet's book, which others have said ought to have the same subtitle as so many other insider tell-alls: "If Only They Had Listened To Me."

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:10

You mean I might have to st... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by C-C-G | May 6, 2007 6:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

C-C-G:

You mean I might have to start liking the French?

Well, they do have good cheese.

Mmmm... cheese!

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:26

The U.S. needs someone to r... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Ol' BC | May 6, 2007 6:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Ol' BC:

The U.S. needs someone to run on that platform. Cut taxes, reduce civil servants,curb immigration and tougher sentencing. Hmmm. Are the Fwench waking up as they approach becoming a Muslim majority with a floundering economy?

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:28

Was just reading over at ne... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Jo | May 6, 2007 6:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Was just reading over at newsbusters.org how the NYT is already demonizing him, making me like the guy even more. Sweeeeeeet.

NY Post ought to do a front cover story like the Daily Mirror did over our election, this time saying How Could (blank) Million French People Be So Damn Smart?"

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:30

Was just reading over at... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by C-C-G | May 6, 2007 6:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Sometimes you can tell the caliber of a person by his enemies. It seems this is one of those times.

Posted on May 6, 2007 18:34

I saw this on Drudge:... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Jumpinjoe | May 6, 2007 7:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I saw this on Drudge:

Defeated Socialists search for scapegoats

She never seemed able to escape from her party's rigid ideological barriers. Every time she tried, for instance by suggesting military camps for young offenders, it provoked a volley of criticism from the party apparat

Wow, what an amazing similarity to the American lefties when they crack the whip.

Personally I believe, in the not so distant future, the Democrats and their whip cracking lefty masters will fall the same way.

Sadly for the French, they went and tested deep into the socialist waters and have to get themselves out of it. We on the other hand haven't quite dug so far....YET.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:05

The World Turned Upside Dow... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by horse | May 6, 2007 7:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

horse:

The World Turned Upside Down

Perhaps Lafayette will return and reinforce the right wing of our political corps as some attempt to lay siege to beltway mentality.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:16

Paul,Sarkozy will ... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by horse | May 6, 2007 7:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul,

Sarkozy will deal with poverty the correct way, by supporting an economy that provides real productive private jobs. Hopefully, he will do a Reagan/Thatcher to deal with taxes, labor rules, lawlessness and unions. Then the French will get to experience what the Americans and Brits have been enjoying for 20+ years.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:23

Look Ma, no trolls, snicker... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by lb | May 6, 2007 7:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

lb:

Look Ma, no trolls, snicker snort snort.
This was not only a win for the French, it was a win for the USA. Yea baby....

Let's see.
To the North, Canada.. Conservative.
To the South, Mexico.. Conservative.
Germany.. Conservative.
France.. Conservative.

Oh my, I'd say that's a "trend".

Place your bets on the UK now.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:36

Don't forget Australia and ... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by C-C-G | May 6, 2007 7:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Don't forget Australia and Japan. Both are led by reasonably conservative men, as well.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:46

Good point C-C-G. Prayers u... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by lb | May 6, 2007 7:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Good point C-C-G. Prayers up that this trend continues. Amen.

Oh where oh where are the trolls today
Could it be they are in dismay
Oh where oh where are the trolls today
Could it be they are seething today.

Pick one.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:54

The Trolls are currently wo... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by C-C-G | May 6, 2007 7:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

The Trolls are currently working on a petition to the French Supreme Court to overturn the election on the grounds that it's illegal for a Frenchman to want closer relations with America.

Posted on May 6, 2007 19:58

God love ya C-C-G, BWAHAHAH... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by lb | May 6, 2007 8:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

God love ya C-C-G, BWAHAHAHAHA. I must go now to cook dinner. Thanks for the inspiration.

In return: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray........

Posted on May 6, 2007 20:10

Vive France!Godspe... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Mitchell | May 6, 2007 8:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mitchell:

Vive France!

Godspeed to fixing France after decades of dreadful social and economic policy. Sarkozy is a breath of fresh air.

Posted on May 6, 2007 20:24

lb, good point, conservatis... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by Mitchell | May 6, 2007 8:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

lb, good point, conservatism is winning the day most everywhere.

Liberalism--the non-classical kind-aka Socialism--is on the wane, just as Communism was before it.

May it rot in the dustbin of history, too.

Posted on May 6, 2007 20:33

Always remember, Never forg... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by lb | May 6, 2007 8:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Always remember, Never forget, Liberalism like Socialism IS the cousin to Communism.

First they come for your guns.
Then they come for your free speech.
They over tax your business
They over regulate your business
Then they sieze your business
*waves at Hugo*
Before you know it, your livin' in a commie nation.

Posted on May 6, 2007 20:59

Fit Fred Thompson's speech ... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by jainphx | May 6, 2007 9:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

jainphx:

Fit Fred Thompson's speech in here.He will take his case directly to the American people.OOO Raa.Made me sit up and take notice.The trolls read it also and are caucusing to figure how to refute his logic.Nice try.

Posted on May 6, 2007 21:01

are caucusing to figure how... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by lb | May 6, 2007 9:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

are caucusing to figure how to refute his logic.
Posted by: jainphx

True that. First comment at 2;50pm and not a troll to be seen. OOO Raa from this mother of an American soldier.

God Bless our fighting forces and those who stand beside them.

Posted on May 6, 2007 21:09

Wonder what will happen to ... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by Wethal | May 6, 2007 9:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Wethal:

Wonder what will happen to the EU constitution that was supposed to be rising from the rejections of past years?

Posted on May 6, 2007 21:13

I think the French made the... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by Larkin | May 6, 2007 9:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Larkin:

Sarkozy wins in France

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Comments (59)