Sarkozy becomes French president
Updated on 06 May 2007
Nicolas Sarkozy is the new French President as his Socialist rival Segolene Royal has conceded defeat.
'I am confident that Nicolas Sarkozy will play a central role in resolving the institutional question (the constitution) and consolidating European politics.'Jose Manuel Barroso
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso tonight urged Mr Sarkozy to take a central role in resolving the EU's crisis over a constitution.
Mr Barroso phoned Paris to convey "warmest congratulations" to the next French President - but issued a statement later pointedly also praising the EU credentials of rival candidates Segolene Royal and Francois Bayrou.
The statement referred to the "remarkable campaign" fought by Ms Royal - a hint of the concern in Brussels that Mr Sarkozy's victory means battles ahead over the scope of the constitution and the scale of continued EU expansion.
But Mr Barroso diplomatically stuck to political niceties tonight, hailing a victory for democracy thanks to a massive turnout, and a victory for Europe because of the robust political debate.
Mr Barroso said: "This election has been very closely followed in Europe, because France counts in Europe."
"France has always been at the centre of European politics and a strong Europe needs a 'European' France."
It was France which triggered Europe's crisis by rejecting the proposed constitutional treaty - in a referendum which President Jacques Chirac need not have called.
Now the hope is that the election of his successor will help pull the EU out of the political doldrums.
"In electing Nicolas Sarkozy - and I equally want to salute the European engagement of Segolene Royal et Francois Bayrou, the French people have reaffirmed their commitment to Europe" went on Mr Barroso.
"I am confident that Nicolas Sarkozy will play a central role in resolving the institutional question (the constitution) and consolidating European politics."
Mr Sarkozy has already made clear he only wants a "mini-treaty" to replace the constitution - a scaling-down of ambition which is approved of in Downing Street.
However, he still wants it to include a full-time EU President and "foreign minister" and more majority voting - further weakening the use of the national veto in EU decision-making and he has come out firmly against Turkey joining the EU.
