After 17 years of conservative rule in France, a Socialist is finally heading for the Elysée. The official exit poll for the final round of the presidential election gave François Hollande 52 per cent of the vote, with Nicolas Sarkozy trailing on 48 per cent, the first time a Socialist has won since François Mitterrand in 1988. Much to Sarkozy’s dismay (he absurdly accused the pollsters of “lying“), he has become the first French President not to win re-election since Giscard d’Estaing 31 years ago.
In a valedictory address to his supporters, minutes after the polls closed, Sarkozy conceded defeat, declaring that “François Hollande is the President of France and must be respected.” It was a rare show of dignity from the UMP candidate, who ran a shamelessly populist and demagogic campaign, pandering to anti-Muslim prejudice at every opportunity.
Content from our partners
