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Latest update: 10/05/2012
- France - François Hollande - French elections 2012 - Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy government resigns ahead of power handover
The government of outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy stepped down on Thursday ahead of the inauguration of president-elect François Hollande on May 15. Hollande is due to reveal the new government line up once he enters office.
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - The conservative government of outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy resigned on Thursday, paving the way for Socialist president-elect Francois Hollande to take office in a May 15 transfer of power ceremony.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon delivered a letter of resignation to the presidential palace, although he will keep handling day-to-day government business until Hollande is sworn in on Tuesday, Sarkozy’s office said.
Fillon, who took office on May 17, 2007, was the second-longest continually serving prime minister of modern France after George Pompidou, who headed the government from April 14, 1962 to July 10, 1968.
Hollande is due to reveal his government line-up after he is sworn in. He is then due to travel to Berlin within hours to launch his push to balance German-imposed austerity policies in Europe with pro-growth elements.
Hollande was elected on Sunday in a runoff vote with 51.6 percent of the vote to 48.4 percent for Sarkozy, whom voters punished for a stagnant economy, steadily rising unemployment and a showy and abrasive personal style.
Sarkozy’s defeat leaves his conservative UMP party on a back foot ahead of parliamentary elections on June 10 and 17 with the far-right National Front eager to pick up some of its voters on the right.



























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Sarkozy Downfall.
Well I wish I could endorse the sentiments of congratulating Mr Hollande - I rather glad to say that I can not. Since his success at the polling booth the value of the euro has plummeted alarmingly and now that Mr Hollande appears to set on a path of spend now and pay later his actions have done nothing to stem the fall further, in fact it has started what will be a chain reaction of further devaluation against the other powerful global currencies. Mr Hollande has no experience in government policies, and little or no respect from other world leaders. To embark on such a choice of action for France is an effort to appease the masses within France, it will not help the country in the longer term, after all wasn't it just these actions that got us all into the mess we are in. Wake up and stop this self destructive course of action before all trust and belief in the EU community is completely lost.
FRANCOIS HOLLANDE WILL BE A GREAT LEADER FOR FRANCE
THANK GOD THAT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE WON THE ELECTION TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF FRANCE. HE WILL SAVE FRANCE.
FRENCH CITIZENS COME TOGETHER AS A NATION TO WELCOME
PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE. I WILL DRINK A TOAST AT 3:00AM LOCAL TIME AUSTIN, TEXAS ON MAY 15, 2012 (1000:AM PARIS TIME) WHEN FRANCOIS HOLLANDE IS SWORN INTO OFFICE. THIS WILL BE A GREAT MOMENT IN FRENCH HISTORY. LONG LIVE THE SOCIALIST PARTY.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE!
CHARLIE.
I