Germany on Sunday welcomed Francois Hollande's victory in the French presidential election, and pledged that it would keep up its cooperation with France in driving European Union policies.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle stressed both countries would still work together to help the EU respond to the debt crisis, which he called "a joint objective."
Hollande has pledged to seek a renegotiation of Europe's treaty on fiscal stability to seek policies promoting growth instead of austerity, a proposal that has been rejected by Germany's center-right government. Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy's defeat thus comes as bad news for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Westerwelle made a point in speaking French on the outset of his statement at the French embassy in Berlin, congratulating "France's new President" in an election that he called a "historic event."
Read more: Germany welcomes Hollande's victory in France - CBS News
Showing posts with label French Presidental election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Presidental election. Show all posts
5/3/12
French Presidential Elections: Defiant Sarkozy blasts ‘lying’ opinion polls - by Peter Allen
The 57-year-old conservative went head-to-head with François Hollande, his socialist rival, during the three-hour broadcast yesterday evening.
Both men exchanged insults, with Mr Sarkozy accusing Mr Hollande of “lies and slander” about everything from his plans to tax the rich to his policies on Europe. But Mr Sarkozy failed to land a knock-out blow and — with three days before the country votes — Mr Hollande was still far ahead in the opinion polls.
Styling himself during the debate “the president of justice” and “the president of unity”, Mr Hollande, 57, accused Sarkozy of being an abject failure during his five years in power.
Read more: Defiant Sarkozy blasts ‘lying’ opinion polls - World - News - Evening Standard
Both men exchanged insults, with Mr Sarkozy accusing Mr Hollande of “lies and slander” about everything from his plans to tax the rich to his policies on Europe. But Mr Sarkozy failed to land a knock-out blow and — with three days before the country votes — Mr Hollande was still far ahead in the opinion polls.
Styling himself during the debate “the president of justice” and “the president of unity”, Mr Hollande, 57, accused Sarkozy of being an abject failure during his five years in power.
Read more: Defiant Sarkozy blasts ‘lying’ opinion polls - World - News - Evening Standard
4/22/12
French Presidential elections: Hollande beats Sarkozy and both heading to French vote runoff
With 75 percent of the vote counted, Hollande had 27.9 percent of ballots cast and Sarkozy 26.7 percent, according to figures released by the Interior Ministry after final polls closed.
Le Pen was in third with 19.2 percent of the vote so far. In fourth place was leftist firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon with 10.8 percent, followed by centrist Francois Bayrou with 9.2 percent and five other candidates with minimal support.
Turnout was also surprisingly high, projected by polling agencies at about 80 percent, despite concern that a campaign lacking a single overarching theme had failed to inspire voters.
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