Sarkozy won: long live the new president?

It beats the French "job for life" dream. This is real, not a dream: about 5% of unemployment!

As an expat this whole campaign feels very remote. I must admit once again I didn't vote. I didn't know who to vote for anyway: "soft left or hard right?". Tough choice eh. Well it is too late now; no need to wimp. Nevertheless, the $10,000 question remains: "Will Sarkozy be able to pull together and unite the ever-so fragmented France? Or will we see an even larger social gap form in France?"

I sincerely hope that Sarkozy can take the whole France through the necessary economic reforms required and give a decent job to the whole population. I lived now nearly 8 years in UK. I can vouch for it: more flexible employment laws bring more jobs. Before jumping to your gun and throwing at me the usual old "job for life" argument listen to that:

I came to UK barely able to speak English (well proper English - English, I could speak text book English but that is different). I was welcome anyway. They gave me a chance. I struggled and still do despite this I can find jobs because employers know that if it does not go too well they can get rid of me relatively quickly (and trust me they do).

The result: I have worked for 3 different companies, done 3 different jobs, multiplying my salary nearly by 3 in about 8 years without - and that is the best part - not a single day out of employment, right mate, not even one. It beats the French "job for life" dream. This is real, not a dream: about 5% of unemployment!

Le Pen didn't make it: I am happy!

I don't need to burn my identity card just yet

I was so ashamed last time when Le Pen made the second round well I didn't vote so that was why. I felt it was my fault. But you have to understand when you have lived abroad for so long these things look so remote and at odds.

You must understand that I am also not big in politics - well more precisely - I don't have much confidence in the current class of politicians. Clearly having to choose between a corrupt man and a potential fascist was rather challenging . I suppose corrupt was better, at least he didn't burn the country funds on mammoth public project like his predecessor.

Maybe the new generation i.e. Sarkozy / Royal will do better. In any case with nearly 10% of unemployment my poor country need a miracle. Can Sarkozy / Royal change the situation? Have they got the guts to take decisions for the good of the country even against the electors opinions.

One thing for sure, I don't need to burn my identity card just yet, I might even renew it. As for coming back home, well not really. Why would anybody want to go back to a country in such a poor state! Sorry guys you have to wake up, you live in country frozen in history. Things have to change drastically, if not it is not going to go any better.