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| Sarkozy pledges new era of change | Sarkozy pledges new era of change |
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| France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken office at a ceremony in the Elysee Palace, after waving goodbye to President Jacques Chirac. | France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken office at a ceremony in the Elysee Palace, after waving goodbye to President Jacques Chirac. |
| The new centre-right president succeeded his former mentor after defeating the Socialists' Segolene Royal in the 6 May run-off election. | The new centre-right president succeeded his former mentor after defeating the Socialists' Segolene Royal in the 6 May run-off election. |
| Mr Sarkozy stressed that "now change is needed" in France, in his inaugural speech, and called for national unity. | Mr Sarkozy stressed that "now change is needed" in France, in his inaugural speech, and called for national unity. |
| France "needs to take risks and follow initiatives," he said. | France "needs to take risks and follow initiatives," he said. |
| The country also needed to "rehabilitate the values of work, effort, merit and respect" and defeat intolerance, he said. | The country also needed to "rehabilitate the values of work, effort, merit and respect" and defeat intolerance, he said. |
| We need to invent new solutions Nicolas Sarkozy Key inauguration quotes In pictures: Sarkozy takes office | We need to invent new solutions Nicolas Sarkozy Key inauguration quotes In pictures: Sarkozy takes office |
| A 21-gun salute marked his assumption of the presidency, after a brief private conversation with Mr Chirac. | A 21-gun salute marked his assumption of the presidency, after a brief private conversation with Mr Chirac. |
| One of Mr Chirac's last tasks was to hand over the launch codes of France's nuclear arsenal. | One of Mr Chirac's last tasks was to hand over the launch codes of France's nuclear arsenal. |
| Mr Sarkozy, 52, was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Cecilia, wearing an eye-catching golden dress, and other family members - their son Louis and four children from their previous marriages. | Mr Sarkozy, 52, was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Cecilia, wearing an eye-catching golden dress, and other family members - their son Louis and four children from their previous marriages. |
| 'We need results' | |
| In his speech Mr Sarkozy attacked racism and stressed that "order and authority is needed" to deal with security challenges. | |
| The two leaders had private talks before the ceremony"We need results because the French people in their daily lives need improvements... We need to invent new solutions." | |
| He warned that "never have the risks of inertia been so great for France" as in today's fast-moving world. | |
| But he vowed to "defend the independence of France... the identity of France". | |
| He also called for "a Europe that protects" and the development of "a Mediterranean union". | He also called for "a Europe that protects" and the development of "a Mediterranean union". |
| On Tuesday, Mr Chirac bade farewell to the nation in a televised address after 12 years at the Elysee. | On Tuesday, Mr Chirac bade farewell to the nation in a televised address after 12 years at the Elysee. |
| CHIRAC'S LEGACY Unemployment 8.3%, lowest for 25 yearsSluggish economic growthSocial tensions, especially in deprived Paris suburbsChampioned failed European constitutionLed French opposition to invasion of Iraq The house that Jacques built | CHIRAC'S LEGACY Unemployment 8.3%, lowest for 25 yearsSluggish economic growthSocial tensions, especially in deprived Paris suburbsChampioned failed European constitutionLed French opposition to invasion of Iraq The house that Jacques built |
| The BBC's Paris correspondent Caroline Wyatt notes that Mr Chirac leaves behind unemployment of more than 8% and a nation uncertain of its place in the world and divided over its future. | The BBC's Paris correspondent Caroline Wyatt notes that Mr Chirac leaves behind unemployment of more than 8% and a nation uncertain of its place in the world and divided over its future. |
| Mr Sarkozy, formerly interior minister, has a reputation as a law and order hardliner. He made the fight against illegal immigration and crime prominent in his election campaign, along with the issue of national identity. For the first time modern France is now being ruled by an immigrant's son. | |
| "The people conferred a mandate on me... I will scrupulously fulfil it," he promised. He won with 53% of the vote and enjoys a powerful mandate after a massive turnout by the electorate. | |
| Later on Wednesday he will visit the Arc de Triomphe to rekindle the flame of the unknown soldier, before laying a wreath the spot where German troops shot French resistance members in World War II. | |
| He will then travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key ally and the current president of the European Union. | He will then travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key ally and the current president of the European Union. |
| Mr Sarkozy is not expected to name his prime minister and cabinet until Thursday. | Mr Sarkozy is not expected to name his prime minister and cabinet until Thursday. |
| A former minister, Francois Fillon, is expected be made prime minister. | A former minister, Francois Fillon, is expected be made prime minister. |
| Reports also suggest that a senior member of the defeated Socialist party, Bernard Kouchner, is a leading candidate for the post of foreign minister. | Reports also suggest that a senior member of the defeated Socialist party, Bernard Kouchner, is a leading candidate for the post of foreign minister. |