Sarkozy triumphs in quest to lead France; Royal yields

By BY ELAINE SCIOLINO THE NEW YORK TIMES

PARIS — Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy won the French presidency Sunday, promising a break with the past, a new style of leadership, and a renewal of relations with the United States and the rest of Europe.

Sarkozy's triumph over Segolene Royal, the Socialist candidate, was a huge blow to her party and abruptly terminated her effort to make history by becoming the country's first woman president. But Royal tried to rally her supporters, telling them that French politics had forever changed with her candidacy.

With the entire vote counted, Sarkozy had 53.1 percent and Royal 46.9 percent, according to official Interior Ministry figures.

For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Subscribers can read the story here on ArkansasOnline.