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Laurent Cipriani / AP
French President Francois Hollande waves from his car as he drives down the Champs Elysees in Paris after his inauguration on May 15, 2012.
Christophe Ena / AFP - Getty Images
French President-elect Francois Hollande arrives for his inauguration on May, 15, 2012 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Reuters reports — Francois Hollande became French president on Tuesday in an official handover ceremony that makes him the country's first Socialist leader since Francois Mitterrand.
Outgoing President Nicolas
Hollande was due to fly to Berlin later in the day for his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela
'Monsieur Normal' takes office ... unmarried
French economy stalls, posing challenge for new president
Fred Dufour / AFP - Getty Images
Hollande is awarded "Grand Maitre" in the Order of the Legion of Honor, from chancellor of France's National Order of the Legion of Honor, General Jean-Louis Georgelin.
Mehdi Fedouach / AFP - Getty Images
Hollande, right, walks on the red carpet towards his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy prior to the start of the investiture ceremony.
Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images
Sarkozy, left, welcomes his successor Hollande upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace.
Jacques Brinon / AP
Hollande's partner Valerie Trierweiler, right, shakes hands with Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy before the presidential handover ceremony.
Jacky Naegelen / Reuters
Journalists work as a man sweeps the red carpet in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace.
Patrick Kovarik / AFP - Getty Images
Sarkozy and his wife leave the Elysee Palace after the formal investiture ceremony.
Reuters
Hollande stands up in his car as he rides in the rain up the Champs Elysees.
The current First Lady of France, Valerie Trierweiler, and the former, Carla Bruni, have captivated the world. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.
Leave a Comment:
Gotta love the French....always looking for the easy way out...and getting screwed in the end.
...ahhh, welll....zat ees life!
Vive l'amor.....
Whew! A whole year of austerity. Well if that didn't fix decades of wreckless spending, nothing will.
Goodbye France, welcome to the E-ticket ride to the bottom of economic growth.
Wow a RED carpet!!!!! How appropriate.
Whew! A whole year of austerity. Well if that didn't fix decades of wreckless spending, nothing will.
Whoever said the French were P*ssies? Those damned conservatives were actually trying to change the retirement age from 60 to 62 (the horror!). Everybody knows that the path to sound fiscal health is through more spending. What were they thinking?
...hello, chaos...what a fiasco.
Americans are such hypocrites. You have millions of unemployed, millions without access to quality health care and hundreds of thousands without adequate housing. Plus, the national debt (under both parties) has skyrocketed and you never miss a chance to make war.
Fix your own problems before telling other countries how to fix theirs. If you do, perhaps you will get a little more respect around the world.
Why don't you all mind you own business? Let them be! Are you living in France? NO, so shut the F@@#K up. Again, bunch of idiots you think they know all
Dear
marlen101917
Americans are such hypocrites? Perhaps we should not have paid for French freedom with American blood.
Didn't Hitler bring socialism to France in 1940?
The French must have liked it.
"Francois Hollande became French president on Tuesday in an official handover ceremony that makes him the country's first Socialist leader since Francois Mitterrand."
Well, let's see how a 'tax and spend' socialist does with the French economy.
I suspect their debt will become a crisis, and interest rates on their debt will soar, and the French economy will stagnate and unemployment will get worse.
People tend to get what the deserve (vote for).
It should be a good test of Obama's policies here, since they share the same anti-business, pro-welfare policies.
People are just giving their opinions. Last time I checked, that was stillK in our society.
Grail Quest " Everybody knows that the path to sound fiscal health is through more spending. What were they thinking?"
Yeah, it's worked out so well here.
For those who think that a 'tax and spend approach to growth and deficit reduction' is viable, let me remind you that for the last 3.5 years we've tried that approach in America, and here are the results;
We have incurred $5.7 Trillion in 'stimulus' deficit spending since the end of fiscal 2008, for a 57% increase in the National Debt, which has resulted in only a 4% increase in economic growth (GDP). The debt is increasing far faster than any growth in the economy could possibly compensate for.
Also, we have 1.3 million fewer people working than when Obama took office.
Do we really need more evidence that deficit spending does not work?
PS - I know you were being facetious, Grail Quest
Marlen:
The best description I have ever seen-that is perfect, but try to get the ranters here to get educated!-with the controlled media in USA it is impossible--they like to have opinions without any base
Democracy at work outside of our borders. A choice by the majority of citizens. I wish France and the French people well. Perhaps Sarkozy might have taken a closer look at the way he publically lived his own life while preaching austerity, he might have looked a bit better in the eyes of his people if he walked the walk he was talking.
Never mind.
Victor: You would think Hitler would still be in France?---- Like USA is still in Iraq? USA was in Europe to make sure that US could keep the enemy away from USA (like the big new in the east at the time)--We are progressive like attacking Iraq and all the others, so do not equate that with helping France!--PS I was 6 Years in NATO long ago, and learned a lot about that (connection) as well!
Bundgaard-1210892
Perhaps you should read history and educate yourself before you tout the virtues of socialism.
True or false Adolf Hitler was the head of the------ National Socialist German Workers Party----?
Very simple true or false?
Socialism/Communism AKA collectivism is always a failure which leads to fewer freedoms for the citizens and quite often to mass murder and genocide!
Such a strong Republican response against this new president can only indicate fear of the good things that French society will benefit from.
Dear "Republicans": when societies do well economically, you also do well. Please let go of your straight "fix pie" theories.
@Victor, Yes it is true that the Nazi party was the National Socialist German Workers Party, but the meaning of the word "socialist" has changed since then. The Nazi's were an extreme right group, but in no way shape or form communist. I for one applaud Mr. Hollande, democratic socialism is exactly what we need and that is what he is going to do. Before you spew hate, look up what democratic socialism is and examples of what it can do. Also if you think Sarkozy is better, look at the French economy, it is on the verge of another recession and shrunk, yet again, in the last quarter.
Just when France was becoming an important player in the contemporary world stage.
Bye Bye, Czar Kozy!
He is to retire and go back to Russia
Dear Right Wing Fascist Wack Jobs all claiming "it's the end of the world" cause the French voted to remove that Douche,
SHUT UP! and GET A LIFE ... and when things in France get better for the average Joe or is that Jacque, please EAT IT, ... very slowly and then, please, choke and die.
Sincerely, - LFD.
Yup things always get better under socialism. LOL.
@ "LORD" Things will get better ....until all the money leaves. Do think anyone in their right mind , who has money, is going to sit there and be taxed at a rate of 75% ? They are going to leave the country. Just like they have done for every socialist "revolution" . Then when the economy tanks even further the "average Jacque" will be left holding the bag......with no escape or hope. Haven't you seen this movie before ?
PValdes GOOD FOR YOU. You are 100% correct. Havent seen the movie but read the book. ATLAS SHRUGGED, Ayn Rand.
to LORDFOXDRAKE. I could not have say it better.
To the left wing dependents...France is going to end up where Greece is now if they choose to gut the middle class or heap tax burden on businesses instead of choosing austerity....a small class of wealth and a very large class of weak dependent drones and a mass exodus of international business leaving for greener pastures.
How appropriate that it was raining when Hollande drove down the Champs Elysees......He's all wet .
That was Heaven peeing on his Socialist arse.
With France electing its first socialist president in over twenty years, I guess that leaves Germany as the only adult in the union. France will be joining Greece soon.
Yes, that may be true, but in USA we have already gone bad with money, and have nothing to show for, like medical, college, (free) nursing home for old and nursing/daycare for babies--never mind actual freedom--like 5 times more people in jail per million of people!!
Maybe the difference in jailed persons is because of Europeans willingness to tolerate and support all the perversions or Drug Related Crimes of its' liberal Socialist Society. Again, where has that gotten you?? Cesspools of "Drug Zones" in your major Cities. Almost daily riots in the streets of the jerks whom want Society to assume virtual "ownership" of their WANTS....Europeans are a Lazy Bunch of idiots who think their Government should wipe their butts and take care of them from the Womb to the TOMB.
The French economy, and the German for that matter, would be fine if not for the misguided attempt to unify europe under a common currency and support the woefully underperforming Italians, Greeks and Spanish.
Yes, someone actually knows here, wow--but that is it and has been for 50 years!--40 years ago any northern EU person looked at those people as US looks at Mexicans!
Somehow I don't recall an "invasion " of Northern Europe by the Greeks or Spaniards.....However, I do recall EU nations "inviting" invasions of Muslims to do their DIRTY work, and look at the issues you created for yourselves today. Not doing well today are you???
WILL THE US VOTERS FINALLY REALIZE THAT THE ROMNEY-RYAN BUDGET IS THE PATH TO RECOVERY! It is suicide for American families, workers, youth, elderly, women, minorities, and a bonanza for the filthy rich. Republicans after sabotaging Obama's economic plans and opposing him every step of the way now claim that because of the economy they want to be back at the White House. It is a shell game. Only the blind will fail to see what is going on here!
that a Freudian slip Sam? I agree with you.. the Romney Ryan budget IS the path to recovery...
Well Austerity did not work for the last president I wonder what this one will do?
France just signed its death certificate with its new prez.
It's time the French lay off the wine...........their economy is headed for a total collapse....
OH!, but don't worry Obama will bail the French out of debt just like he's doing in the United States......with more "borrowed money" from the Chinese.
"Vote Mitt Romney this November".....for a stronger economy!
Want more "Hope and Change".......Just move to France......
clean house, the chinese arent buying our debt anymore, nor anyone else. the fed is printing money now, and destroying our dollar. the fed had 800 billion in debt in 2008. they now owe over 3 trillion.
This administration is a disaster, and if obama gets elected again, we are finished
by the way, the stock market decline is directly related to the europeans deciding they want communism. it means they arent paying back their debt, which means no more borrowing, COD payments etc.
business will suffer
I agree if Obama gets another 4 years to bring socialism to the US we will be in a global depression greater than the one of the 1930s. Combine that with the lack of substance farming and the increased urbanization of the past 100 years and actual HUNGER AKA FAMINE will be felt in Europe and the USA.
Collectivism does not work people!
Eventually those people that are working to support non-workers (moochers) will eventually see it is fruitless and will stop contributing. When that happens the freebies will stop and those that for generations have lived off of handouts will begin rioting and looting. The government will have to respond by initiating marshal law and it will be the end of everyone's civil liberties.
And that boys and girls is where communism and socialism always leads.
I feel sorry for many of the French people. This was a BAD move.
Toast.
This is what happens when you produce a generation of parasites with the great entitlement mentality. A train wreck is coming and France deserves what it gets.
France and its citizens were worthless prior to WWII and have been even more worthless following. All they desire are handouts from anyone willing to give them. The phooking French deserve whatever they get.
Goodbye Euro.
Is this the answer Americans and Germans are looking for? Sadly, unless the country wakes up I fear that this will happen to us in November. Do not want to go the way of the European!! So sorry to all those who think the answer to Socialism/Communism is the way to go? Wake up!!!!
Here's a little news from home. By all means, keep electing these far right whores of the rich.
This bill would extend the current 3.4 percent interest rate on federally-subsidized Stafford loans to undergraduate students for one year. This extension would be paid for by eliminating a tax preference for certain shareholders of S-Corporations. The Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to invoke cloture, and thereby end debate, on the motion to proceed to the bill. It is possible the Senate will hold another cloture vote on this bill. The House passed a competing version (H.R.4628) on April 27.
Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
S-corps are small businesses and the "shareholders" are usually one maybe two people. When I had my own business it was an S-corp. It's just a way to protect your personal assets if your company goes bankrupt or gets sued.
hey tyrone, do you know what an s corp is? it is 95 percent of all business in the us. do you realize paying taxes on gross income will force foreclosures, default on debt, default on payments to gas, overhead, etc?
do you understand the amount of layoffs it would cause?
You should investigate more before you start lobbying for your suppressor
@Tyrone --- would that have been the House controlled by the "far right whores of the rich" as opposed to the Democrap controlled Senate.
Its great to see people on the vine that see the truth. Since the people decided they didnt want to live within their means and elected a communist, their economy tanked and gonna drag europe down with it.
There is a parallel between that election and the one here.
Scott Walker also won wisconsin primary, getting more votes than the 2 union thugs combined, despite the media reporting "a tight race"
Sound familiar? Obama with his marxist training and agenda has no place for America and its freedom loving people.
We want fiscal responsiblility and less intrusion in our lives, brought to you by the gop.
ROMNEY 2012!!!!
While I agree the word conservative should translate fiscally. However they haven't been very fiscally conservative over the last few decades.
If Romney wins he sure as hell better be.
Ahh, free California wine for everyone!
Tyrone says O-tay!
The French people have rejected curbing reckless spending on entitlements. Basic math has been rendered politically incorrect. The Euro is finished. France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Spain and Portugal have joined the United States on the certain road to bankruptcy. Germany, China and Russia will survive and rule the world. Basic math, 1+1=2 and 2-1=1, will be a very painful lesson for those countries who found it inconvenient to their lifestyle. So long, the world will be moving on without you.
we should have let hitler have it. what a waste of american lives.
france est morte
Relax, France will be fine. This guy isn't Hugo Chavez. He may be a bit of a populist, but i doubt he'll get his 75% tax rate on millionaires, of which there are only a little over 4,000. And that is personal income, not corporate profits, or capital gains or anything like that. And i'm sure the wealthiest find ways to pull things like a "Double Irish with a Dutch Sandwich" to get around loopholes like US tax avoiders. If this guy can strike a healthy balance between the highly successful dirigisme policies of post war france and the demands of todays highly integrated world economy, i'm sure france will be fine. Maybe something like Germany's Social Market economy (which is actually quite competitive, and quite socialist at the same time).
Nothing like a socialist who runs on "hating the rich" yet has three homes on the Riviera that the electorate didn't know about. Funny how socialists are always rich 1%ers that pretend to hate the rich while not thinking twice about taking from the middle and lower classes.
Funny how people call what's going on in Europe as austerity when there haven't been any spending cuts. Then they claim austerity failed when it hasn't even been attempted yet. Too funny.
double post
Within couple of months,France elects a president while here in US we keep going on for two years. What a screwed up system to elect a president.
The level of intelligence demonstrated in these comments is outstanding. Bravo America. I feel safer w/ your intellectuals like Obama and Romney.
said the guy who likes communism
I like communism. I think that it is extremely idealistic and ideal for humanity, but cannot be achieved due to the current material conditions. Humanity just isn't productive enough to achieve a communist society. A stateless, classless, moneyless sounds pretty free to me. Do some reading.
I agree. What WE HAVE now is an economic system in which all the wealth and power is held by a tiny group of billionaires and their state.
What WE NEED is a system (call it what you like) where the wealth of society belongs to those who produce it - the workers - and is used in a planned and sustainable way for the benefit of all.
Yeh, Marlen.....as if Unions are really going to PRODUCE something anymore, and then INVEST or RE-INVEST in the means of producing anything other than their greed and corruption, which, BTW, resulted in Major Manufacturing LEAVING OUR SHORES TO A LAND WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY WORK FOR THEIR WAGES. STFU. SOCIALISM and COMMUNISM has never worked....ANYWHERE!!