Latest update: 17/05/2012 

- Angela Merkel - France - François Hollande


Extraordinary first day in an extraordinary job: Hollande is sworn in as French president

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Your first day as president of your country is always likely to be unforgettable. But for François Hollande, it was doubly so. Amid the pomp and ceremony surrounding the inauguration of France's 24th President, François Hollande also managed to get drenched by torrential rain, ride up the Champs Elysées in style through the sunroof of his car, and have his plane struck by lightning on the way to visit German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin.

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By Antoine MARIOTTI / Kate WILLIAMS
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