France: Hollande Elected President

Socialist Francois Hollande has been elected the new president of France. This was stated by the country’s interior minister, Claude Gean.

After counting 90% of the ballots, Francois Hollande secured 51.5% of the votes, and Nicolas Sarkozy – 48,5%.

“On behalf of the Government I congratulate the new president and wish him a successful term in office for the good of France,” – said Claude Gean.

Earlier, the incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy acknowledged his electoral defeat and congratulated his opponent on his election as head of state. Speaking to his supporters, he urged them to show dignity in the face of adversity, and claimed responsibility for the defeat.

Sarkozy acknowledges defeat at presidential elections

At the second round of presidential elections in France Socialist Party candidate Francois Hollande has defeated incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy.

“I would like to wish Hollande that France cope successfully with all of its trials”, – he added.

Hollande will be the first French socialist president of France since 1995.

He is expected to be inaugurated later this month.

Joyful crowds were gathering in Hollande’s hometown of Tulle and in front of Socialist headquarters in Paris, as rumours of the result spread more than an hour before French media were legally permitted to publish results.