Nicolas Sarkozy, the new France's President

PARIS (Reuters) - Conservative leader Nicolas Sarkozy triumphed in France's presidential election on Sunday, beating his Socialist rival Segolene Royal by a comprehensive margin and extending the right's 12-year grip on power.
He also reached out to both the United States, which has had frosty relations with France since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and to European Union partners, saying he would make the fight against global warming a priority.

full news on The Star here


Who is he?
I quote below from somewhere i dont wanna give link to

French Jews celebrate Sarkozy victory
Nicolas Sarkozy, the grandson of a Greek Jew, has been elected president of France. Optimistic and celebratory, Jewish groups were quick to offer congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy after his victory in French presidential elections.Sarkozy, of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), defeated Socialist Party candidate Segolene Royal in Sunday's runoff.He garnered some 53 percent to Royal's 47 percent in the election, which featured a huge voter turnout.The former interior minister was seen by Jewish voters as a friend to Israel and an important figure in the fight against antisemitism. Soon after his opponent conceded, Jewish groups came out with their good wishes."At a time when French Jews felt directly threatened by the rise in violent antisemitism in Paris and elsewhere across France a few years ago, Sarkozy played a critical role in moving the French government to finally recognise the gravity of the problem and to do what is necessary to address the ill winds that not only threaten the largest Jewish community in Western Europe, but, as we know from history, would ultimately pose a threat to wider French society," American Jewish Committee executive director David Harris said in a statement.The AJCommittee recalled that Sarkozy during that period was instrumental in stepping up police protection around Jewish buildings and schools, and arresting and prosecuting those who committed anti-Semitic acts. He told the group in a Washington address in 2004 that he would "consider any insult against Jews an insult against France."CRIF, the French Jewish community's umbrella group, addressed its "warmest and most respectful congratulations" to Sarkozy in a Sunday statement.
Sarkozy said, "Only if Israel is guaranteed that its existence will not be threatened and the Palestinians are allowed to form a viable state can we achieve a durable and viable solution."One Jewish voter said, "As far as Israel is concerned, Royal has nothing to offer us, compared to Sarkozy."Outside a synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, one Sarkozy voter rued some of Royal's supporters. "As a Jew I don't like the fact that many pro-Palestinian radical activists participate at her meetings," said Armand, who asked that his last name not be used. "I think this is dangerous."Sarkozy, on the other hand, is one of the only [future] heads of states to have gone to the U.S. to meet President Bush. I'm not a fan of Bush, but still. In any case, I don't think that Sarkozy is a fascist, as some people try to make us believe."

Fom FoxNews (American Media Perspective)

Sarkozy, more pro-American and pro-Israeli than most French leaders, said the United States can "count on our friendship" but added, "friendship means accepting that friends can have different opinions." He urged the United States to take the lead on climate change and said the issue would be a priority for France.

U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair called Sarkozy to congratulate him, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel wished him "much luck and success."

You can read the good and the bad side of him from a Lebanese perspective here which Id highlighted some below.

GOOD:

• his stand on French internal socio-politic

BAD:

• he is a Bush's lackey,
• his priority seems to be for Israel,
• he is the final line of a Western political leader who could merge in with the Bush dynasty's hegemonic policy; UK has Blair, Australia got Howard, Canada is ruled by Harper,
• he seems to be ignorant in his dealings with Islamic integration in France

I guess we can only wait and see the future changes on France stand in the middle east conflicts.