Hollande wins French Presidency

[emigre]

François Hollande has won power in France, turning the tide on a rightwards and xenophobic lurch in European politics and vowing to transform Europe's handling of the economic crisis by fighting back against German-led austerity measures.
The 57-year-old rural MP and self-styled Mr Normal, a moderate social-democrat from the centre of the Socialist party, is France's first left-wing president in almost 20 years. Projections from early counts, released by French TV, put his score at 51.90%.

His emphatic victory is a boost to the left in a continent that has gradually swung right since the economic crisis broke four years ago.

Nicolas Sarkozy, defeated after one term in office, became the 11th European leader to be swept from power since the economic crisis in 2008. He conceded defeat at his headquarters in the Mutualité: "I will never be like those who have beat us," he said. "From the bottom of my heart I want France to succeed with the challenges it faces. It is something much greater than us; France. This evening we must think exclusively of France."

He thanked the French people for letting him lead for five years. "Never will I forget this honour. In the life of a man presiding the destiny of France, it is something I never will be able to forget."

The defeat of the most unpopular French president ever to run for re-election was not simply the result of the global financial crisis or eurozone debt turmoil. It was also down to the intense public dislike of the man seen as "President of the Rich" who had swept to victory in 2007 with a huge mandate to change France. The majority of French people felt he had failed to deliver his promises, and he was criticised for his ostentation display of wealth, favouring the rich and leaving behind him over 2.8 million unemployed. Political analysts said anti-Sarkozyism had become a cultural phenomenon in France.

Hollande is the first Socialist president to win a French election since François Mitterrand's re-election in 1988. Hours before the official announcement, hordes of cheering supporters began gathering at Paris's Place de la Bastille, a flashpoint of the 1789 French revolution, where the left had celebrated Mitterrand's first historic victory in 1981. The right has held the French presidency since Jacques Chirac's victory in 1995.

Source and full article

I honestly believe the PS could have a cheese sandwich as their Presidential candidate and still beat Sarkozy.

 

[freaksloan]

I can't see how this is good for France or the EU.

 

[raulpica]

Now for Germany to drop Angela Merkel for a leftward chancellor, and the Europe might finally get out of this damned crisis.

 

[Satangel]

vs

Bring Sarkozy back!!!!!

 

[BlueStar]

Good news for France. Sarkozy shot himself in the foot trying to appease the fascist vote after the FN dropped out, even many on the centre right were uncomfortable with his attempts to appeal to the far right.

 

[emigre]

I can't see how this is good for France or the EU.

Well considering Sarkozy's Presidency has brought increased unemployment and an increase of French debt to GDP. And in Europe, there's a new crisis every month. One could suggest, things could seldom get worse.

Personally I am glad to see a Leftie SocDem type in charge of a major nation. The Merkozy leadership of the EU has become a case of one crisis to another with austerity being their only solution. Having someone who will at least consider economic stimulus as a solution will be welcome.

EDIT: Saying that, there are legitimate questions over Hollande. He's been very fortunate to have such favorable political conditions.

 

[Langin]

Hmm let's hope this DAMN crisis gets over SOON.

I really hope is that the Netherlands is going to play the teenager and leaves the Eurozone like England never entered it.(England=smart)

This is an advice by a 17 years old kid, so if I am wrong, prove me wrong.

 

[smile72]

I'm glad, hopefully he might be what France needs, and Europe can stop this austerity shit, the Republican politicians in the U.S., are too stupid to handle facts, even after England has had a double dip.

 

[Gahars]

While he's obviously enjoying some great political success, I have to say I'm a bigger fan of his musical career. Hollande Oates was a classic band, through and through!

 

[mameks]

 

[koimayeul]

Here goes my vote, HI Mr President!

 

[Qtis]

Hopefully this and what happened at Greece doesn't f' up everything done so far. I'm all open to getting the economy going, but fighting everything done so far to the end will get them nowhere.

Not saying everything done so far is the best options, but something has to be done. Otherwise parts of southern Europe would have been bankrupt in '08 or a year or so after that.. :/

 

[WiiUBricker]

Now for Germany to drop Angela Merkel for a leftward chancellor, and the Europe might finally get out of this damned crisis.

Spoiler