Nicolas Sarkozy defeated Ségolène Royal to become France's president, marking the first time a woman reached the second round of a French presidential election.
Key Facts
- First round date
- 21–22 April 2007
- Second round date
- 5–6 May 2007
- Winner
- Nicolas Sarkozy
- Sarkozy's vote share (round 2)
- 53%
- Incumbent president
- Jacques Chirac
- First woman in second round
- Ségolène Royal
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Jacques Chirac, having served as President of France since 1995, chose not to seek a third term, creating an open contest for the presidency. The major parties put forward Nicolas Sarkozy for the center-right UMP and Ségolène Royal for the Socialist Party, while centrist François Bayrou mounted a strong campaign that polling suggested could succeed in a direct runoff.
In the first round on 21–22 April 2007, Sarkozy and Royal advanced to the second round, eliminating Bayrou despite polls indicating he would defeat either opponent head-to-head. In the runoff held on 5–6 May 2007, Sarkozy defeated Royal with approximately 53% of the vote, succeeding Chirac for a five-year presidential term.
Sarkozy assumed the French presidency and the ex officio role of Co-Prince of Andorra. Royal's participation made her the first woman to reach a French presidential second round. The result was later analyzed as a textbook example of center squeeze under plurality-rule voting. Sarkozy sought re-election in 2012 but lost to François Hollande.
Political Outcome
Nicolas Sarkozy elected President of France with ~53% of the second-round vote, defeating Ségolène Royal.
Jacques Chirac (UMP/RPR), President since 1995
Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP), President from May 2007