Germany promptly reacted last night to the announcement of the results, dedicating a long segment to it during the evening news. There is relief here that France has finally emerged from a lengthy campaign. Despite the French peculiarity of voting again in June for parliament, which introduces a slight uncertainty—Germany being a parliamentary democracy, not a presidential one—our partners are pleased to finally know who they will be working with in the near future.
What struck most here, however, was the extraordinary participation rate of 84%: our neighbors praise the return of political debate and the display of civic-mindedness among young and old French citizens alike. Many here would like to see such high turnout in our upcoming legislative elections. Numerous friends have called to congratulate me on the democratic health of France, despite a still present but reduced extremist minority. However, many wonder if, despite this clear choice, France will manage to reform as Germany already did.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor and thus head of government, congratulated last night’s winner. Ms. Merkel, whose country currently holds the presidency of the European Union, expects a rapid clarification of the European Union Treaty. She was “certain that with the new French President, the friendship between France and Germany will continue to be the foundation to ensure lasting peace, democracy, and well-being in Europe.” She “looked forward” to meeting Nicolas Sarkozy, who has announced his intention to quickly visit Berlin on his first foreign trip.
Certainly, some remember that Sarkozy had vigorously defended Alstom against Siemens, which reminds them a bit of De Gaulle, capable of making a strong stand, but they think that, as with Airbus, the economic competition between our two countries is part of the political games in Europe: the important thing is to work together to find the best compromise. And this morning in Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich, it is noted that France is turning a page: for Europe, a strong France is better than one absent in Brussels.
