PARIS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Nicolas Sarkozy, who has qualified for the second round of the French presidential race, on Sunday went out of his way to woo supporters of his rival, by promising to build a "fraternal France."
He spent much of his six-minute speech on security of every citizen and diversity, two themes that he would not focus in his campaigning for the first round.
"I want one thing and one thing only: to bring French people together around a new French dream," he told supporters after the first results were known.
"A French dream that is a fraternal republic, in which every one has a place ... where diversity will be considered not a threat, but a wealth."
He mentioned the merits to work. But he emphasized that he would protect the weak from woes such as violence, delinquency, unfair competition, deteriorating working conditions.
"I want to speak to the French people about protection without being accused of protectionism. I want to talk about the French nation without being accused of nationalism."
He said he wants to talks to those people who find life difficult, whose lives have deteriorated, who are in distress, who are sick, who handicapped, and to the aged.
"I want to give them hope. They're all entitled to hope. I want to tell them that the France I dream about is a France which will (be) no one by the way side."
He said he is looking forward to a face-off with Socialist Segolene Royal in the second round on May 6.
Sarkozy is estimated to have won about 30 percent of the vote in the first round, while Royal 25 percent.
Sarkozy said the clash with Royal is about "two ideas of the nation, two projects of society, two systems of values and two ideas of policy."
Backgrounder: French presidential elections
Backgrounder: A list of candidates in French presidential elections
Backgrounder: Nicolas Sarkozy, frontrunner in French presidential elections
Backgrounder: Segolene Royal -- strong woman contender
Backgrounder: Francois Bayrou, threat to "Sarko-Sego" scenario
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