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| Sarkozy takes office as president | Sarkozy takes office as president |
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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 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. |
| 'We need results' | 'We need results' |
| Mr Sarkozy 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 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. |
| The two leaders had private talks before the ceremonyIn his speech Mr Sarkozy attacked racism and stressed that "order and authority is needed" to deal with security challenges. | |
| "We need results because the French people in their daily lives need improvements... We need to invent new solutions." | "We need results because the French people in their daily lives need improvements... We need to invent new solutions." |
| He vowed to "defend the independence of France and the identity of France". | He vowed to "defend the independence of France and 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. | On Tuesday, Mr Chirac bade farewell to the nation in a televised address. |
| 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 will later 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. | Mr Sarkozy will later 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, 52, is not expected to name his prime minister and cabinet until Thursday. | Mr Sarkozy, 52, 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. |