Trump success, like Brexit, is expression of desire for change - Sarkozy

Record ID: 79497

  • Title: Trump success, like Brexit, is expression of desire for change - Sarkozy
  • Date: 9th November 2016
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) (REUTERS) FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY'S CAMPAIGN SLOGAN READING (French): "EVERYTHING FOR FRANCE" JOURNALIST LOOKING ON SARKOZY WALKING TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES CANDIDATE, NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING: "The American people have decided to elect Donald Trump as president of the United States of America. It's a choice that has been expressed freely, democratically, it's a choice that must be respected. I give my congratulations to Donald Trump for this victory, and my wishes of success in the large and very difficult mission that is now his." SMALL FRENCH FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES CANDIDATE, NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING: "The message of the American people must be heard. As with the choice of Brexit (the vote of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union) by the British people, it expresses a desire for change, it expresses the rejection of a narrow-mindedness that prohibits all debate on the dangers that threaten our nation. This narrow-mindedness that refuses to see the reality of rejection of a global economy that is neither faithful nor fair. This narrow-mindedness that does not see the people's urgency to take control of immigration and to respect the borders. This narrow-mindedness that ignores the necessity of difficult measures that must be taken to protect citizens from Islamist terrorism." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES CANDIDATE, NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING: "In the face of the same challenge, the same threats, the same enemy, that is Islamic terrorism- Europe and the United States must work together. In this order, we need France to be powerful, Europe to find its leadership, its will, its inspiration, its vision. Times will be tough. France must play its role, must restore its authority. France must restore its place." PEOPLE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES CANDIDATE, NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING: "And now with President Donald Trump, my conviction is that they will be no place for helplessness, for weakness, and for renunciation. Democracy is about listening to the people. The American people have spoken. Let us draw the conclusions. Thank you." FRENCH FLAG
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2016 11:21
  • Keywords: Nicolas Sarkozy Donald Trump elections presidentials reaction France United States
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • City: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA00157Q5HZB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nicolas Sarkozy, candidate for France's conservative presidential primaries, on Wednesday (November 9) congratulated Donald Trump for winning the U.S. presidential elections, defeating Hillary Clinton.
    "It is a choice that must be respected," the former president said.
    "The message of the American people must be heard. As with Brexit (the vote of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union) of the British people, it expresses a desire for change, it expresses the refusal of a narrow-mindedness that prohibits all debate on the dangers that threaten our nation," he said.
    Sarkozy said such "narrow-mindedness refuses to see the reality of the rejection of a global economy, which is neither faithful, nor fair, this narrow-mindedness that does not see the people's urgency over immigration and the need to address Islamist terrorism."
    Trump's campaign was marked by insults and inflammatory rhetoric with regard to radical Islam, while on international affairs he has brought into question U.S. policy on everything from Syria to Iran, Mexico and North Korea.
    France, which vies with Britain for status as the world's fifth largest economy, has itself been reeling in the wake of several deadly attacks claimed by Islamic State militants since last year.
    With just six months to go before France goes to the polls, likely conservative candidates sought to stress the importance of a stronger France and more united Europe.
    Sarkozy, who is trailing rival Alain Juppe in opinion polls as they campaign for the conservative presidential ticket, said France must tackle the new world order head on.
    He said it was clear that with Trump now joining Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping as leaders determined to defend their country's interests, France could no longer sit passively on the sidelines and blindly accept the impact of globalisation, immigration and Islamist militancy.
    "Times will be tough. France must play its role, must restore its authority. France must restore its place," Sarkozy said.
    France is a key American ally, and its officials had in recent weeks openly endorsed Clinton for U.S. president and warned that Trump's "confused" foreign policy objectives were alarming for the rest of the world.
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