Victorious Sarkozy pledges unity

Nicolas Sarkozy was elected as the President of France in the second round of the Presidential Election, 6 May 2007. The new President called for unity after a bitterly-contested campaign, although he also said his clear victory gave him the mandate for a programme of radical economic and social reform.. There was sporadic violence after the announcement of the result on the streets in Paris, Lyons, Toulouse, Marseilles, Bordeaux and other cities to protest against the tough-talking former interior minister.

It emerged that Nicolas Sarkozy was planning to appoint one of his most moderate allies, François Fillon, as France’s prime minister in an attempt to win support for the contentious labour reforms he has said are essential to the country’s economic future.

• Primary Source

The Tocqueville Connection, 6.5.07: Full text of victory speech by Nicolas Sarkozy http://www.adetocqueville.com/

IFES: Election Guide: France http://www.electionguide.org/country.php?ID=75

The Tocqueville Connection, 7.5.07: Sarkozy victory confirmed in official results http://www.adetocqueville.com/

The Tocqueville Connection, 6.5.07: Sarkozy victory is turning-point for France: analysts http://www.adetocqueville.com/

BBC News, 7.5.07: France looks to new Sarkozy era http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6631813.stm

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/the-european-elections-monitor/46-european-union

The Tocqueville Connection, 7.5.07: Sarkozy victory a turning-point for France http://www.adetocqueville.com/

The Tocqueville Connection, 9.5.07: France's Sarkozy sails into storm over luxury yacht holiday http://www.adetocqueville.com/

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