	Introduction

On May 6, 2007, French voters chose the Gaullist Nicolas Sarkozy to be President of France. Sarkozy represents a younger generation of leaders at a time when a majority of the French public believes their country is in decline, in part due to enduring low economic growth and high unemployment, in part to an apparent diminishing influence in guiding the course of the European Union (EU). The second round of the presidential elections saw a near-record turnout of 84.9% in a campaign that was closely watched by voters. Since 1981, France has had only two presidents, the Socialist François Mitterrand and the Gaullist Jacques Chirac, each a formidable political figure who dominated his respective party. The Gaullist Party and the Socialist Party nominated their candidates from within the party structures. Although supportive of the European Union, he is less wedded to it than earlier and older post-war French leaders. Foreign Policy

Sarkozy presents himself as a friend of the United States who will nonetheless not be slavish to U.S. foreign policy objectives. He expressed his admiration for American culture, openness, and entrepreneurship. He views Iran as the greatest danger to French interests and a highly destabilizing influence in the Middle East. Domestic Issues

Royal also addressed the issue of immigration and integration of Muslims into French society. Royal had a tough message meant to bring greater order and discipline to the public school system. This suggestion brought criticism from elements of the Socialist Party, but appealed to parts of the center and right on the political spectrum. Royal was sharply critical of Bush Administration foreign policy. Royal introduced a new, more direct style of politics to France in her campaign of "participatory democracy." As noted above, the UMP in fact lost seats in the legislative elections. Implications for the United States

The essence of the U.S.-French relationship is unlikely to change substantively under Sarkozy's presidency. Some U.S. officials believe that Sarkozy will be more "practical" in discussing the EU's European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) with the United States; they believe that President Chirac has impeded cooperation between NATO and the EU by insisting that the United States, rather than NATO, engage in discussions over strategic issues with the Union, and by pressing for an "EU caucus" in NATO, where EU member states would present a united position on selected issues to the United States and NATO governments not in the Union. Just as some U.S. officials believe that President Chirac has been an impediment to improved relations, many observers in France, in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and highly politicized criticism of France emanating from parts of the U.S. government and media, believe that only the end of the Bush Administration will lead to a moment when the political atmosphere between the two countries can improve. Sarkozy, as Interior Minister, was intimately involved in this cooperative effort. France also plays a role in the EU stabilization mission in Bosnia-Hercegovina and the NATO mission in Kosovo.
On May 6, 2007, the Gaullist Nicolas Sarkozy defeated the Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal in the second round of the French elections to become President of France. He will serve a five-year term. His party lost seats but maintained a solid majority in subsequent legislative elections.
Since 1981, France has had only two presidents. There is a sense of malaise in the country, in part due to high unemployment and slow economic growth. Sarkozy represents a younger generation of leaders.
Sarkozy casts himself as a tough-minded former Interior Minister. His campaign built on his reputation as hard on illegal immigration and insistent on greater efforts by the country's large Muslim community to better integrate itself into French life.
Royal pursued a campaign meant to place her directly in touch with French voters. In doing so, she circumvented some of the steps normally necessary to gain the Socialist Party nomination. This campaign strategy put her at odds with some of the Party elders. She gambled that her campaign of "participatory democracy" would appeal to a range of voters beyond the Socialist Party. In the end, she failed to deliver a clear message to French voters and to unite her own party.
Foreign policy played a secondary role in the elections. Sarkozy and Royal stressed the growing danger of Iran. Both candidates supported French participation in U.N., NATO, and EU security and stabilization missions, but there were disagreements with the United States over some elements of NATO's mission and future. Both candidates supported the EU, but neither brought to EU issues the passion of previous post-war French leaders.
Sarkozy presents himself as a friend of the United States and an admirer of American culture but added that France under his leadership would assert its usual independence. Royal was sharply critical of the Bush Administration and contended that U.S. "unilateralism" in recent years has damaged bilateral relations and increased instability in the Middle East.
It is possible that Sarkozy will pursue a practical and non-ideological posture towards the United States. He is unlikely to alter the U.S.-French relationship in a stark manner. Cooperation over counterterrorism measures, multinational operations in Lebanon, the Balkans, and Afghanistan, and good trade relations are likely to continue.
This report will be updated to reflect the outcome of the presidential and legislative elections. See also CRS Report RL32464, France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations, by [author name scrubbed].