France is preparing to enter a new political era, one day after choosing right-wing Nicolas Sarkozy to be the country's next president.
Previously a divisive cabinet minister, Mr Sarkozy won a clear election victory over Socialist opponent Segolene Royal.
Mr Sarkozy has pledged to boost the economy by creating jobs, liberalise employment laws, be tough on crime and control immigration.
He officially takes over from Jacques Chirac on 16 May.
Before then, campaign aides say Mr Sarkozy, 52, will spend a few days resting at an undisclosed location to finalise his government line-up and policy priorities.
On Monday, Mr Sarkozy revealed that his choice of prime minister would be Francois Fillon, who is currently Mr Sarkozy's senior political adviser.
Mr Sarkozy's remarks came during a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The size of Sunday's election victory - a resounding win by 53% to 47% in a two-horse race, with a turnout of 85% - gives the new president real authority, correspondents say.
"We have to act, the French people expect it. They have given him a real mandate," chief of staff Claude Gueant told French radio.
France has given me everything, and now it is my turn to give back to France what France has given me
Nicolas Sarkozy
Mr Sarkozy is expected to quickly name a 15-strong cabinet for the start of his five-year term in office.
The first key hurdle for the new president will be nationwide parliamentary elections in June.
Securing a workable majority in the National Assembly would greatly ease the passage of Mr Sarkozy's planned reforms.
Early polling for those elections puts Mr Sarkozy's UMP party ahead of the Socialists by about six percentage points, the Reuters news agency reported.
Ms Royal's defeat was the Socialists' third successive presidential election loss, and the party is now expected to face calls for internal change.
Reform pledge
Mr Sarkozy has promised to try to reform France to face the challenges of the 21st century, and creating jobs is at the top of his agenda.
SARKOZY: KEY POLICIES
Exempt overtime (above 35 hours) from taxes and social security charges
Minimum sentences for repeat offenders, tougher sentences for juveniles
Selective immigration that favours arrival of qualified workers
Increase taxes on polluters
Oppose Turkish EU membership
He has pledged to bring unemployment down from 8.3% to below 5% by 2012.
During his first 100 days in office he is also expected to propose tax cuts and table legislation to keep trains running during strikes.
While he has said he will not end France's 35-hour working week, Mr Sarkozy proposes allowing staff to work overtime, as well as cutting restrictions on hiring and firing staff.
Known as a divisive figure from his years as a strict interior minister, Mr Sarkozy appears intent on a tough approach to law and order, favouring minimum sentences for repeat offenders and tougher sentences for juveniles.
He struck a conciliatory tone in his victory speech on Sunday evening, telling crowds in Paris and those watching around the country that he would be president "of all the French".
Himself the son of a Hungarian immigrant, Mr Sarkozy said: "France has given me everything, and now it is my turn to give back to France what France has given me."
Nevertheless, there were minor clashes with protesters in Paris and some other cities after the result was announced.
Several hundred rioters in the Place de la Bastille threw bottles and stones at police, shouting "Sarko-fascist".
Two police officers were injured in Nantes, where 1,000 demonstrators turned to violence. Arrests were made in half-a-dozen cities, but the trouble soon subsided.
The election result was widely welcomed outside France, with the US, EU, China and Japan offering congratulations to Mr Sarkozy.
The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was more cautious, saying he hoped Mr Sarkozy would review his opposition to Turkey joining the EU.
I personally think that Sarkozy is the correct man in the correct place.
He is better in every aspect than Segolene Royal.
He will improve french economy,
decrease the social expensive,
improve french position in world politics,
improve relationship with USA,
solve the immigration problem (by decreasing the amount of immigrating people)
stop further projects and plans with european constitution.
Also, surely the best way to help integrate disaffected youth in the banlieue is surely to do something about the département of Seine-Saint-Denis and its 14% unemployment...?
Sarkozy isn't afraid of saying unpopular and politicly uncorrect statements about immigrants.
Thats why european left is so angry that Sarkozy won. Some even said that new french president is fascist.Which is nonsense to me.
Sarkozy is right that nowadays , France should let come only those immigrants who can be useful to this country, and not let those who dont even know french or dont want to work and integrate with the french society.
I was happy with his election primarily because it will improve relations with the United States. That relationship has been horrible for quite some time.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
I don't think the French and the US really had many differences though, I do think the Americans were a bit irritated at the French lack of desire to roll over and be McDisneyfied.
I was happy with his election primarily because it will improve relations with the United States. That relationship has been horrible for quite some time.
Yes i agree with you Keltoi. Chirac would do anything to make Uncle Sam angry.
And Sarkozy, along with Angela Merkel seem like much more reasonable politics.
Only in Spain they have the greatest comedian among european politics
France was fascist enough before Sarkozy got in. Look outside the marble-clad fantasy world of the Parisian City Centre, and you will see another world, filled with the people who had to build those monuments. It looks more like India or Brazil than a developed Western nation. And now we have a new fascist on the block, one who wants to degrade people's right to diversity by forcing them to 'intergrate' with French culture. I prefer the British and American systems, where you can speak, dress and believe what you want as long as nobody is hurt in the process.
I hope he will stop pulling the secular state trick. Why did they ban the Hijab because it is a religious symbol, whilst allowing huge billboards by the side of the road that advertise Christianity? When I went to France, every few minutes I would see a poster trying to encourage people to come to Church.
I hope he will stop pulling the secular state trick. Why did they ban the Hijab because it is a religious symbol, whilst allowing huge billboards by the side of the road that advertise Christianity? When I went to France, every few minutes I would see a poster trying to encourage people to come to Church.
Maybe because still majority of French are christians. And your statement makes me fun.
You complain that in christian majority country you see many christian symbols.
So should i also complain in muslim country that there are so many minaretes and mosques?
Not exactly. He referred to rioting youths in the banlieue of Paris as "racaille" or scumbags, for which he was reprimanded in the Council of Ministers. It was a pretty ill-thought out remark, I agree, and it was portrayed as a racist remark in certain sectors of the press because of the overwhelming majority of North Africans who lived in those areas.
It looks more like India or Brazil than a developed Western nation.
Yes, I have been to "le neuf trois." Yes, it's horrendous. But have you similarly been to the more deprived parts of London or New York? They're just as crumbling and ridden with unemployment and crime.
Also, the "Hijab ban" was, in fact, a ban on overt religious symbols in schools. It was seen as such though because the most publicised cases where it was invoked involved the Hijab. There's also no classes on religious studies in French lycées, but instead a compulsory philosophy class that students take in their final year of school.
There's no law prohibiting religious establishments from publicising themselves. I have seen posters for church groups, mosques, synagogues, all manner of places of worship.
Fishman, also, France is a secular state. It's been one for the entirety of the Fifth Republic as enshrined in the first article of the Constitution, and in previous Republics, since the Constitutional Law of 1905 after the Dreyfus affair. In France you are free to practice whatever belief you like and the State is prohibited from establishing a state religion. It respects all religions but establishes none.
And now we have a new fascist on the block, one who wants to degrade people's right to diversity by forcing them to 'intergrate' with French culture.
??????
LOL! When you come to one country, you must behave like guest, you must obey all the laws there and be grateful that you were embraced.Integrity to french culture isn't immigrants privelege.It's their duty.
If a immigrant doesnt like french culture, he can stay in his own country and practice his own religion and culture as he wants.
It's simple.
Were the rumours I heard about this guy being a Fascist true or false?
No Muezzin, Sarko is not a fascist. He is just conservative politicain that France needed from long time. And Sarkozy isnt afraid of using true and politicly uncorrect words. Thats why he was called a fascist by the eurpean Left. Leftists would call anybody a fascists who disagree with them, even me and you . Its their typical propaganda.
When i am against homosexual mirraiages and gay adoption- I am called a fascist
When i am against abortion and euthaniasia- I am called a fascist.
When i say that Europe is based on christian roots - I am called a fascist.
When i want an invocation to God in european constitution - i am called a fascist.
France just needed a reform candidate. What could be more reformist than electing a conservative candidate to lead a government that has been in a socialist malaise for too long. The economy is stagnant, falling way behind Germany. This could be the first step in a major overall of the French system, but that is probably too optimistic by the numbers of far-left socialists in France.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
I dont know why Turkey takes such exception to it not being wanted in the European Union. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said the Last Hour would not come until the Romans have formed the majority of mankind. This prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes as the European Union begins to grow and will possibly quite literally become a neo-Roman Empire, with a massive population and resources to dominate the world. Turkey as a nation is on the wrong path, and believes that Europeanization means progress, whereas it actually means moral death.
Regarding Sarkozy, he is on record for saying that Muslims need to "Assimilate" into French society, and he is extremely right wing and xenophobic, as well as staunchly pro-America. Europe is going through a new phase where it is becoming increasingly intolerant of Islam and Muslims. Increasingly, European countries are looking to immigration from Latin America and East Asia to fill in the vacuum that will be left by cutting down on Muslim immigration.
I dont know why Turkey takes such exception to it not being wanted in the European Union. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said the Last Hour would not come until the Romans have formed the majority of mankind. This prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes as the European Union begins to grow and will possibly quite literally become a neo-Roman Empire, with a massive population and resources to dominate the world. Turkey as a nation is on the wrong path, and believes that Europeanization means progress, whereas it actually means moral death.
Regarding Sarkozy, he is on record for saying that Muslims need to "Assimilate" into French society, and he is extremely right wing and xenophobic, as well as staunchly pro-America. Europe is going through a new phase where it is becoming increasingly intolerant of Islam and Muslims. Increasingly, European countries are looking to immigration from Latin America and East Asia to fill in the vacuum that will be left by cutting down on Muslim immigration.
I notice you state Sarkozy is "on the record" for saying Muslims need to assimilate into French society, but then you just follow through with the "right wing" and "xenophobic" accusations. Nothing about his statement about immigrants needing to assimilate is a "right wing" or "xenophobic" request. Sarkozy does find common ground with the United States in fighting terrorists and those that support them, but he is hardly "staunchly" pro-American either.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
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Nicolas Sarkozy elected President of France...
Re: Sarkozy- new president of France !!
And your statement makes me fun.
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