Pro American conservative Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president of France by a decisive 53 to 47 percent margin yesterday over his Socialist Party opponent, Segolene Royal. Voter turnout estimated at 85 percent was unusually high.
Mr. Sarkozy said he wants to "tell American friends that they can rely on our friendship. France will always be next to them when they need us." Friendship, he said, "means accepting that friends can have different opinions," but in his campaign he was enthusiastic in his praise for what he called "the world's greatest democracy."
This could have an interesting impact on world affairs. Sarkozy has embraced the nickname "Sarko the American", a tag put on him by critics. While supportive of a Palestinian state he also fervently backs Israel, suggesting that he might bring France closer to the American camp with regard to Middle East policy. He believes France and the United States have a democratic kinship that transcends disagreements like one over the Iraq war.
Sarkozy's election also amounts to a repudiation of anti-Bush sentiment in Europe. French voters have soundly rejected elitist disdain for the American cowboy. Time will tell where that leads us.
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