Pro-American Sarkozy wins French presidency

This could very well be the spark on the fuse in Europe. Watch France very closely over the next few months for signs of nationalist French behavior that we haven’t witnessed since World War II. My gut instinct is the Islamists are going to push too hard and the old school French might just find their inner Napolean lurking deep within — and that very well might be what begins a series of much needed changes in the EU. I sincerely hope that this also spells an age of far better relations between the United States and France, something long, long overdue.

From the AP:

PARIS - Nicolas Sarkozy, a blunt and uncompromising pro-American conservative, was elected president of France Sunday with a mandate to chart a new course for an economically sluggish nation struggling to incorporate immigrants and their children.

Sarkozy defeated Socialist Segolene Royal by by 53.06 percent to 46.94 percent with 84 percent turnout, according to final results released early Monday. It was a decisive victory for Sarkozy’s vision of freer markets and toughness on crime and immigration, over Royal’s gentler plan for preserving cherished welfare protections, including a 35-hour work week that Sarkozy called “absurd.”

“The people of France have chosen change,” Sarkozy told cheering supporters in a victory speech that sketched out a stronger global role for France and renewed partnership with the United States.

There were few reports of unrest, despite fears that the impoverished suburban housing projects, home to Arab and African immigrants and their French-born children, would erupt again at the victory of a man who labeled those responsible for rioting in 2005 as “scum.” That abrasive style raised doubts over whether Sarkozy, himself the son of a Hungarian refugee, could truly unite the increasingly diverse and polarized nation.

Sarkozy pledged in his victory speech to be president “of all the French, without exception.” But that task will not be easy. The 52-year-old former interior minister inherits a nation losing faith in itself, paralyzed by worries over globalization, bitter at American dominance and saddled with social tensions.

That’s Press-code for Islamist activity.

Late Sunday, small bands of youths hurled stones and other objects at police at the Place de la Bastille in Paris, who fired volleys of tear gas. Two police unions said firebombs targeted schools and recreation centers in several towns in the Essonne region just south of Paris.

‘Youths’ is more Press-speak, this time for for Muslims.

For all his determination and talk of change, Sarkozy also is certain to face resistance from powerful unions to his plans to make the French work more and make it easier for companies to hire and fire.

“Like Thatcher in Britain, like Reagan in the United States, Sarkozy will change things,” said supporter Thierry Gauvert, 55.

Let us hope.