Francois Hollande: France

Nicolas Sarkozy Dept: PARIS - France handed the presidency Sunday to leftist Francois Hollande, a champion of government stimulus programs who says the state should protect the downtrodden a victory that could deal a death blow to the drive for austerity that has been the hallmark of Europe in recent years, according to Winnipeg Free Press. He narrowly defeated the hard-driving, attention-getting Nicolas Sarkozy, an America-friendly leader who led the country through its worst economic troubles since World War II but whose policies and personality proved too bitter for many voters to swallow and french president-elect Francois Hollande waves to crowds gathered to celebrate his election victory in Bastille Square in Paris, France, Sunday, May 6, 2012. Hollande defeated outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday to become France's next president, Sarkozy conceded defeat minutes after the polls closed. AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani Mild and affable, the president-elect inherits a country deep in debt and divided over how to integrate immigrants while preserving its national identity. Markets will closely watch his initial moves as president. Related Items Articles Harper congratulates France's new president-elect on Sunday's victory Angry Greeks redraw election map, political uncertainty threatens rescue deals Markets could stumble as Greece's split vote, new French president add to uncertainty Accidental president Hollande rides anti-Sarkozy wave into France's Elysee Palace (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.