Sarkozy's French Dream

PARIS, April 23, 2007 — -- As the news came that he had gained first place in the first round of the French presidential election Sunday, conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy climbed onto the stage at his headquarters on the fancy Rue La Boétie in Paris.

"I want to gather all the people around a French dream," he said to an ecstatic crowd of about 2,000 supporters, "a new French dream. I want to say to all the French that they have a future."

Thousands more, many of them local residents, cheered outside his headquarters. Watching the American-style giant screens fixed on the classic Parisian 19th-century facade, Sarkozy's supporters booed whenever the television sets showed pictures of other candidates, but sang La Marseillaise -- the French national anthem -- whenever Sarkozy appeared.

With their candidate getting 31 percent of the vote in this first round, his supporters had good reason to celebrate. He now faces Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal -- who got 26 percent of the vote -- in a runoff vote in two weeks. If Royal beats Sarkozy, she'll become the first female president of France.

Behind the two front-runners, centrist candidate François Bayrou got 18.5 percent -- his highest win ever -- far right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen, who shocked many French citizens when he reached the second round during the previous presidential election in 2002, got 10.5 percent.

Analysts said that fears of seeing Le Pen make it to the second round again in this election rallied the French to a record 85 percent turnout.

To lure those who may have voted for Le Pen, Sarkozy focused his campaign on security and immigration -- two issues that far right candidate Le Pen has exploited massively.

Le Pen has defended anti-immigration measures for the past 35 years -- arguing that immigrants were responsible for unemployment and criminality in France.

Without going as far as Le Pen, Sarkozy forged his reputation as being a "strong man" during his tenure as interior minister.

In 2005, when a young crowd from ethnic minorities rioted in the suburbs of Paris -- they burned cars and attacked public servants -- Sarkozy greatly increased the police budget and put his weight behind the force.

So it was no surprise that last night, standing before the stage where Sarkozy gave his speech, to see a few off-duty police officers, such as 29-year old Ludovic who came with his colleague and a friend.

"I support Sarkozy a hundred percent," said the shaved-head Ludovic. "He is the only one who can protect us." But as a man used to patrolling the Paris suburbs, the police officer also conceded that if Sarkozy became president, violence and protests could explode among the young immigrant population and sons of immigrants who live around the capital.

Sarkozy supporters who spoke to ABC News yesterday were quick to crack down on those who live in the suburbs.

Jean-Yves Connesson, a 37-year old lawyer, raised his glass of wine to Sarkozy's victory and prided himself on being part of "the silent majority, those who do not burn schools, and who do not stone buses."

Monique Calamostalin, who celebrated outside the headquarters with her 18-year old son, said, "The young people in the suburbs? They have to start working. Many of them do not do anything."

France has been plagued by endemic unemployment -- one person out of 10 is unemployed, and that figure doubles for those under 25 years old.

Along with security, Sarkozy has lured voters by promising them more jobs by stimulating businesses and bringing more flexibility to France's work laws.

"I want to give the French the taste to take risks," said Sarkozy last night.

Marie-Caline Lesieur, 19, student and daughter of a physician, was convinced. "He gives us back our confidence," she said.

Annie Terasse, 40, who was born in the French West Indies and was one of the few people from a visible minority at Sarkozy's headquarters Sunday, said she was seduced by his program.

The color of your skin is not a problem in France, she said. "If you are willing to fight for what you want, you will have a chance to succeed."