Nicholas Sarkozy is new French Prez

CELEBRATION TIME: A supporters of Nicolas Sarkozy reacts outside his party headquarters in Paris.

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New Delhi: Right-wing candidate Nicholas Sarkozy on Sunday became the new French President with an emphatic victory.

Poll projections said Sarkozy had around 53 per cent of the vote against Royal's 47 per cent. Turnout was predicted at about 85 per cent.

Royal immediately conceded defeat in the presidential elections and wished her rival well. "I hope that the next president of the republic fulfils his role in the service of all French people," she said.

People saw the uncompromising Sarkozy as a more competent leader with a more convincing economic programme, though opinion polls regularly suggested voters preferred Royal, who was seeking to become France's first woman head of state.

In Paris ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) members burst into chants of "Nicolas - President" and hugged each other in joy.

On the other hand at the Socialist headquarters in the capital city, there was gloom and sorrow after the party crashed to its third consecutive presidential election defeat.

Sarkozy's face flashed up on television screens after polling stations closed at 8 pm (2330 hrs IST), signaling his victory and setting off jubilant scenes among supporters gathered in central Paris.

While exuberant Sarkozy supporters partied in central Paris, police were deployed thousands in number in and around capital to head off the risk of unrest by youths from high immigrants areas, many of whom regard Sarkozy as a hate-figure since 2005 riots.

Sarkozy, 52 – for whom the presidency has been a near-lifelong quest – is a charismatic but divisive figure known for uncompromising, even brutal language.

Sarkozy inherits from Jacques Chirac stagnant wages, a lagging economy and frustration in impoverished, immigrant-heavy suburbs.

He is certain to face resistance to his plans to make the French work more and make it easier for companies to hire and fire.

(With inputs from Agencies)