Elections are producing stunning results across the globe. First, it was Brexit followed by the Tsunami Trump triumph in the United States and now, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The former France President from 2007-2012 was was knocked out of the France’s center-right party presidential primary of the on Sunday, destroying his hopes for a presidential comeback.
The race to pick a nominee for the Republicans party has sparked huge interest in France after the surprised results of Brexit and the US Presidential elections.
The ballot was open to anyone willing to pay €2 who professes agreement with the values of the centre-Right. Mr. Francois Fillon, a former Prime Minister under Sarkozy came first on 44.2 per cent, Mr. Alain Juppé, former Prime Minister of France from 1995 to 1997 under President Jacques Chirac on 28.4 per cent and Mr Sarkozy well behind in third on 20.7 per cent in a seven-man field.
Fillon will now face off with Alain Juppé for a second vote at the end of the month.
Mr. Sarkozy took his defeat gracefully, bowing out of front-line French politics, perhaps this time for good. Addressing his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and his four children, he said: “It’s not easy to live with a man who sparks so much passion. It’s time for me to live a life with more private passion and less public passion. Good luck France.” Mr. Sarkozy then threw his weight behind Mr. Fillon, 62.
In another related development, German Chancellor Angela Merkel ends all speculations about her political future by saying she would seek a fourth term in next year’s federal elections.
