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Profile: Sarkozy, France's next president

PARIS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy claimed victory in the French presidential run-off on Sunday, defeating Segolene Royal of the left-wing Socialist Party.

"I should the president of all the French people and should speak on behalf of all the French," Sarkozy told thousands of jubilant supporters at the headquarters of his ruling Union of a Popular Movement.

"This is not the victory of one France over another. It is the victory of democracy, and of French values," said Sarkozy, who tried to woo support from those who had not voted for him.

Promising that he wants to give the French people back "the pride of being a French," he said his priority will be to do everything to ensure that "the French people continue to speak to each other, to understand each other, and to work together."

"Now is the time for me to give back to France what France has given me. Together we are going to write a new page of history. The page, I am sure, will be great and beautiful," he said.

According to early projections released by French TV channels, Sarkozy won 53 percent of the vote against 47 percent for Royal, who had been bidding to become France's first woman president.

Sarkozy also said that he wanted to "give great values to hard work, authority and respect of merit."

Stressing that the French people "have chosen changes," he said he will fulfill his mandate along with all the French people and let every French to have his or her place in the society.

He also turned his eyes on France's European partners, telling them that "today, France is back in Europe." "I urged our European partners to hear the voice of the French people who wish to be protected," he added.

Sarkozy, who is known for his admiration of the United States, also told U.S. leaders that "you can count on our friendship."

Before Sarkozy delivered his victory speech, Royal conceded defeat, but vowed to fight on.

"The universal suffrage has spoken. I hope the next president of the republic will be able to carry out his duties in the benefits of all French men and women," she said.

This year's presidential race has been the hardest fought in years.

The new president takes office on May 17, succeeding 74-year-old Jacques Chirac.

Nicolas Sarkozy, France's UMP political party presidential candidate, exits the voting booth before casting his ballot in the second round vote at a polling station in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, May 6, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Segolene Royal, France's Socialist Party presidential candidate, exits the voting booth after casting her ballot in the second round vote at a polling station in Melle, south-western France May 6, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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PARIS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Voter turnout in France's second round presidential vote was 34.11 percent by mid-day Sunday, the highest in three decades, according to the Interior Ministry.

Voter turnout in the second round in 2002 was 26.2 percent. Full story

France votes for new president in hard-fought race

PARIS, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Voters in mainland France went to poll stations across the country on Sunday to choose a new president in a tight run-off race, which pits right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy against Segolene Royal, a woman candidate of the left-wing Socialist Party.

The poll booths opened at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) and will close at 8p.m. (1800 GMT), with first unofficial results from exit polls expected soon afterwards. Full story

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