(Top) President Nicolas Sarkozy. (Bottom left) President Nicolas Sarkozy and his family. (Bottom right) President Nicolas Sarkozy lays flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. Images captured from live TV broadcast. Today (May 16), France’s sixth president of the Fifth Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, officially takes office, opening a new chapter in French history. At 11 a.m., the handover between the outgoing and incoming presidents took place. Earlier, the new president’s family, led by First Lady Cécilia dressed up and smiling broadly, entered the Élysée Palace first to participate in this unique, solemn, and grand presidential handover ceremony.

When the incoming president’s car entered the Cour d’Honneur of the Élysée Palace, crowds outside applauded and cheered “Long live the President.” Inside the palace, accompanied by the light music of the national band welcoming him, outgoing President Chirac warmly walked down the red carpet to greet his successor with a few words. After accepting historical handshake photos from numerous global journalists on the red carpet, the two entered the palace together. In the presidential office, they had a private face-to-face discussion on sensitive national matters and nuclear deterrent codes. Half an hour later, the new president personally escorted the outgoing president down the red carpet into his car. Amidst the gaze of the new president and the applause of staff at the Élysée Palace, Chirac waved goodbye through the car window, leaving the Élysée Palace after 12 years.

Next, the incoming president Nicolas Sarkozy went to the luxurious banquet hall of the Élysée Palace for the presidential inauguration ceremony. Nearly five hundred distinguished guests from across the country, various business and industrial groups, and representatives of different religions gathered in the hall. Most notably, the First Lady and her family members participated in the gala (this was the first time since the French presidential inauguration that all presidential family members were exposed). Under a solemn atmosphere, Jean-Louis Debré, President of the Constitutional Council, officially announced the results of the presidential election. Then, Nicolas Sarkozy signed the official presidential documents. Subsequently, the usher presented the collar (collier de Grand maître de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur), representing the highest political power of the state, to the new president, making him the representative of the French nation. At this moment, 21 gun salutes rang out solemnly in front of Les Invalides to celebrate the inauguration of the sixth president of the Fifth Republic.

Then, President Nicolas Sarkozy delivered his inaugural address: “First, I pay my highest respects to the previous five presidents. I take seriously the mandate given to me by the people; the demand is so strong, everything is here, I absolutely have no power to let them down. Strict unity of the French people (...), strict respect for the promises given and respect for the giving of promises, mastering commitments because there has never been such trust (...). Serving France knows no camps, only capability, ideas, and confidence. I will defend human rights, fight for climate change today, and prioritize French diplomatic actions (...) etc.” After finishing the speech, he cordially shook hands or chatted with the distinguished guests present. Of course, most notably, he approached his family and embraced his First Lady Cécilia.

Afterwards, ceremoniously, President Nicolas Sarkozy, with a serious expression, walked out of the hall to the Cour d’Honneur to receive the oath of allegiance and review the parade by the presidential guard. Finally, immersed in the stirring sound of the French national anthem, the inauguration ceremony ended. In the afternoon, President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied by the commanders of the three armed forces, sat in an armored black carriage. Escorted by the National Cavalry Guard of the Élysée Palace, he proceeded slowly along the Champs-Élysées amidst the cheering of crowds lining the street. The president signaled and responded to the people lining the street. Arriving at the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, he laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Next, he went to the Bois de Boulogne in the west to lay flowers and pay tribute to the monument commemorating resistance warriors during World War II. As soon as Nicolas Sarkozy took office, these two symbolic actions demonstrated his love and glory for France, thus opening a new chapter in French history.

In the evening, President Nicolas Sarkozy, showing concern for the construction and prospects of the European Union, flew to Berlin, Germany, to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel (currently the President of the EU). He also stated that the renewal of Franco-German friendship sufficiently proves the new president’s determination for reform and constructive attitude. From this, we deeply bless him, bringing new prospects to France, new dimensions to the EU, new opportunities to Africa, and a peaceful outlook for the world.