A longtime reader I trust writes:
Sarkozy was declared the winner on France 24 with 53% of the vote moments ago.
May 6 (Bloomberg) — Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president of France as Socialist Segolene Royal conceded defeat.
Sarkozy, candidate of the governing Union for a Popular Movement, took between 53 percent and 53.2 percent of the vote against between 46.8 percent and 47 percent for Royal, a Socialist, according to exit polls by Ipsos SA, Ifop, CSA, and TNS-Sofres.
The president-elect, 52, overcame criticism that he was too divisive and too sympathetic to the U.S., persuading voters that he was best-suited to spur economic growth. Sarkozy, interior minister and finance minister for four years under President Jacques Chirac, promised to cut taxes, reduce the number of civil servants, curb immigration and toughen sentencing.
“This very large victory will allow Sarkozy to rally the largest possible union for change,’’ said Patrick Ollier, a UMP lawmaker and president of the National Assembly. “Nicolas Sarkozy is accountable to the people, not to parties.’’
Turnout was about 85 percent, which would be the highest since 1981, according to the exit polls.
In succeeding Chirac, his one-time mentor turned political rival, Sarkozy became the first French president born after World War II and prevented Royal, 53, from becoming the nation’s first woman president. He’ll take office officially by May 17.