Sarkozy 'won clear mandate'
2007-05-07 09:56
Paris - President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy has won a clear mandate to carry out tough social and economic reforms but must work to unite the country as he pursues his programme, French newspapers said on Monday.
"The authoritative election of Nicolas Sarkozy is certainly one that will make a lasting mark on the history of the country," the conservative Le Figaro said after the right-wing Sarkozy defeated his Socialist rival Segolene Royal.
"With the strong legitimacy his indisputable electoral performance gives him, the new president of the Republic can now begin his great transformation, while taking care, of course, to reconcile the French, divided by the campaign."
Even the country's left-wing papers conceded that Sarkozy, a former interior minister, had won a major victory.
'The Shock'
Under the headline "The Shock" against a black background, the communist daily L'Humanite called Sarkozy's election a "catastrophe" for workers and young people, but admitted, "The victory of the right cannot be disputed".
"Nicolas Sarkozy is a legitimate president, elected without rotten tricks or hesitation," Liberation said in a commentary, while La Croix, a left-of-centre Catholic paper, noted: "The French have chosen. Their message is clear."
Sarkozy's campaign was based on the theme of "la rupture" - a clean break from past policies which he blames for creating France's runaway debt, high unemployment and festering discontent in the mainly immigrant suburbs.
His plans include the abolition of tax on overtime, big cuts in inheritance tax, a law guaranteeing minimum service in transport strikes, and rules to oblige the unemployed to take up offered work.
On the social front he has pledged minimum jail terms for serial offenders and tougher rules to make it harder for immigrants to bring extended families to France.
Contrast to Royal's promises
His right-wing programme was in sharp contrast to Royal's promise to extend state protection, create 500 000 jobs, and increase the minimum wage.
The regional newspaper Ouest-France urged Sarkozy to follow through on his victory pledge to be president for all the French.
"We are counting on the new president, to not only prove his effectiveness, but to also forge a unity based on a respect for equality, as that is the main condition for renewal," said France's largest-circulation daily.
France's left-wing papers were not ready to concede defeat ahead of parliamentary elections next month.
"The other France will seek to make up for it at the ballot box in the legislative elections," wrote Liberation.
L'Humanite called for a counter-offensive.
"The voters cannot give the Sarkozyist right complete power ... The political landscape for the next five years will only be decided by the legislative elections on June 10 and 17," it said.