bravo sarko
Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 07:03PM 
Sarkozy wins. Closer than the polls called it. Doesnt surprise me! Interesting to note that the biggest uptake of voting papers for these elections was in the banlieues. Link to follow. Despite the incredible turnout today, reports so far show very little disturbances or problems so far. Several voting stations were vandalized in Paris and as i mentioned some 3,000 CRS (hardcore riot police) are on standby to marshall both the celebrations expected in the Champs Elysees (exactly as for the World Cup in truth) and most importantly manning train stations servincing the banlieues- after Segos petulant suggestion they riot if she loses..At the moment though there is a fantastic atmosphere here in France and its been a great day for democracy with a huge turnout. Well done France.
Should point out that the Socialists had everything riding on this so I wonder if Sego will stay - the Socialists are pretty crushed in defeat really so it will be interesting to see what this does to them. She was right in her speech just now to say this is a new page for democracy. Meanwhile the idiot journos are on their mopeds chasing Sarko - and one of them just fell off. Such a great day.
First words out of his mouth in his victory speech? "I love France" - i would LOVE to hear a British politician ever say the same! He goes on to talk about nationality, pride, unity oh and pride again. Heh.
"I would like to say to our American friends that they can count on our friendship, accepting we may not always see eye to eye"
"I want to say to women of the world who live in fear, who live in fear under the burqa - France will not abandon you".
Cartoon from last year: Is he still the President? I thought it was the short one?
Alison
Reaction in Algeria per France24: Viewed as a disaster
Reaction from Lebanon per France24: Good/Great news
Top of Sarko's agenda in his speech: National Pride; Unity; Tolerance; the EU and its top partners; the USA; Women (!)
Reaction from the PS on their failure: The French dont want the solutions to globalisation offered by this Left
France 
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Reader Comments (45)
As least the French seem to give a damn about politics. In this country we just seem to sleepwalk through life thinking it doesn't matter who you vote for. But if as you say the result was very close it just shows how polarised French political views must be.
Glad you said that SBK. I agree - the young especially gave a damn about politics which is so important.
Good news. I wish him well.
Yeah, very positive news. I do think this must be a step in the right direction for France, although I think too rosy a picture would be misleading. There's an interesting article in Commentary magazine which goes into detail concerning the immigration issue and the influence of the "enarchs"- things which will be great challenges for Sarkozy and may prove insurmountable http://www.commentarymagazine.com/cm/main/viewArticle.aip?id=10869&page=all
I think the degree to which Sarkozy succeeds will be an interesting measure of the challenge Europe faces. If he fails, then we know the scale of our problems.
Enthusiasm is good, of course, but is there any realism underlying it?
Great news. We should be getting our conservative prime minister in the next general election.
Almost George Galloway-esque that the socialists give a thinly veiled threat of riot if the result is 'wrong'.
Anyho. Wonderful turning point for France, things are looking up in Europe once again.
Great news for France, the West and the USA too. Nice to have a French President who likes America! I'm sure the left will go apoplectic.
Great news. Can't wait to see the Guardian's take on it tomorrow.....
How ignominious for the English-speaking Right - in their desperation for at least a bit of comfort in 2007 they have to look to FRANCE of all places!
merde!
seriously though someone explained to me that reform of the CAP; which basically means African Farmers can trade is more likely under Sarkozy, as he's a free marketeer; and that's the only thing that interests me about the french.
Oh and Ireland beating them at Rugby.
Good news, although we should probably wait and see what he actually does before we respond too enthusiastically.
And by the way, who does Jonz think is going to be the conservative PM in the UK (I assume that's the country he was referring to)? I don't see any contenders, although I do see a left-liberal leading a party that misleadingly calls itself the Conservative Party.
Cunningham - that would only be me. I dont think others feels the same way but as ive said before what happens in the West as a whole is important for us all. Ive pointed out before im a francophile, pro EU and i love what is happening in France at the moment most especially from a democratic viewpoint. Son of a Hungarian immigrant whose parents werent born in France. Why the sour grapes over this? Good grief.
Alison it'll be great when there's an independant Ireland Scotland Wales and England, to end the years of tyranny of having a fase identity imposed upon these peoples ie Britishness. I suppose Sarkozy would be in favour of that.
Also I bet if not this next gen election in the UK, then the next one, the tories will be an English Party for an English Gov't. Then we'll all have equal status and identity in a larger Europe. Fantastic !
Unity was the key to his speech Percy.
same with McGuiness Alison
Percy,
why should Sarkozy take an interest in such matters as the break-up of the UK?
Cunningham,
cheer up, you've always got Chavez ;)
>>that would only be me.<<
Alison, actually I didn't mean you at all (please don't be insulted, but I don't consider you a bona-fide right winger!). I was referring to the crowd that has been coming out with the usual jaded slurs against all things French ever since its Security Council vote in 2003 - to France's eternal credit - robbed the war-mongers of a fig leaf.
>>Why the sour grapes over this? <<
I've none. Good for Sarkozy, good for France and good for Europe, I say.
Today was about democracy Percy. Im not sure either the Scots or Sarkozy spent any time blowing people up.
Fair enough Cunningham, sorry & in truth that was partly my point - there is absolutely no sense in this transAtlantic nonsense. My bad as the Yanks say. Ive had a lot of red wine?
Will Sarkozy bemore a Maggie, a Major or a new look Cameroonie?
From the Commentary article linked above:
"The immigrant and post-immigrant community is estimated today at more than 15 million. It is much younger than the native French population, and it tends to have a much higher birthrate."
This represents about a quarter of the French population. It rather puts a damper on the notion of le baby boom, and adds context to the violence in the banlieues. Immigrants per se are not a problem, but it seems the ones in France with their numerousness and their distinctive er, culture, may well be.
France certainly has a nice climate, agriculture, lifestyle etc. But, apart from for cash rich British expats in need of cheap ways onto the housing ladder, does it have a future?
richard, he wouldn't necessarily, i's just making a point about freedom, and national self determination; and my observations of recent changes.
The English are fed up of being run by Scots, and vica vera; and I don't have to tell you how fed up the Irish are at having an artifical border.
I honestly believe Ulster prods only call themselves British to piss off the Irish, which is mad as they're really irish themselves.
Alison I'm not sure the Scots lived under an oppressive foreign jack-boot,
Oh, Cunningham, wipe the tears from your eyes!
Cunningham - didn't see your other post...many apologies.
the question is Chirac was the Islamo Facists best friend in Europe he courted deep ties with Arrafat, Sadam, and the Iranians. What will this President do and how will the islamo facist patrons of France react?
Troll - ive put some reactions in above. For a French President to make a victory speech that mentioned the burqa is pretty deep?
lets see if the statements follow through with policy
>>For a French President to make a victory speech that mentioned the burqa<<
Alison, where did you get the quote? Is that speech on the Web in English anywhere, do you know?
Every cloud has a silver lining - here's hoping she accepts Playdude's offer ;)
Cunningham: I translated it/interpreted it as i heard it but because it was such a big thing im sure it will be in the papers in the morning...You can try France24.com...And they just mentioned it on Sky also now...
Anyway guys I wanted to take this opportunity to say cheerio. Im 'bowing out' of ATW and leaving it to the other posters here. Its been a pleasure. Im not sure about this blogging lark for me anymore. But Id like to wish David all the best at ATW as it is an *excellent* site. And I wish you all the best, i will check in from time to time & comment ;)
Ed - ill take the cyanide pill now ;) but c'mon I prefer like Mad to think that every cloud has a silver lining.
Troll - ive put some reactions in above. For a French President to make a victory speech that mentioned the burqa is pretty deep?
Yes Ali I heard that too and was astonished as well as delighted, at last a man standing up for oppressed women wow.
I am sorry you are going but can understand your reasons, it would be great if everyone could stick to the debate going on but more often it's used to just knock anyone with an opposing view and make cheap comments. Maybe you will come back...hope so.
errm, well France has its problems and blogging probably won't solve them, but don't let the wine or my comments suggest anything to you!
You're a good writer and the medium has a future so you should hang around and post when you feel like it. No pressure. It's difficult to keep away really, I find.
Best wishes and all,
Ed
Well lets hope Alison come back. I give her two weeks tops. :)
Alison, Wish you wouldn't go! If you do though, all my best to you. :((
Don't go Alison. Stick around at least every now and then. You are a refreshing and independently minded female voice on ATW. ATW will be much poorer without you.
Sad to see you go, Alison.
Hurrah for Sarkozy! Should be interesting to see what he does.
But 'quel dommage' to Alison leaving.
The only things that i can smile about is that a right wing French person isn't really that right wing... Dam dam Dam... Crazy French
(Strange, don’t you think, that the French who have always been hated this side of the English channel are now some kind of visionaries.. what is the world coming to???)
Sorry to see you go Alison, but at least it's on a high note!
Good luck, and I look forward to your future comments.
Alison..you're leaving?!? Sorry to see you go. :(
You have a distinct style and fluidity sometimes when you write (especially when mad!) and a nice light touch at other times. I'll miss you and I think you should reconsider...
But in case you don't reconsider and change your mind, good luck to you in whatever you do.
You have to carry on - LGF dont know the difference between French lefty anarchists and islamists.
Before there are too many cheers for Sarkozy, just reflect on his proposal that France sign a new Treaty instead of the purported Constitution, (rejected previously by those same French who just placed him in power),, a Treaty which will usher in a Federal Europe by the back door!
Me, I'd rather see Jean Marie Le Pen in the Elysee Palace, because what you get with him is exactly what you see!
sorry to see you leave Alison, although I very rarely agreed with you you always tried to hold your own au revoir
Alison: First France loses the opportunity to be ruled by a striking woman, and now ATW loses its own! What times we live in. Good luck.
Blimey - Cheers chaps.