La France a décidé.

Sarkozy is the new French President.

I always have been a keen follower of the French elections, having established that I am a Francophile, I often closely watch the happening in the French politics. From the agonizing times, when Chirac nuclear test-bombed the Mururoa Atoll in the French Polynesia, to the multilaterist stand it took against the US war in Iraq. With the Paris riots still fresh in everyone's memory, anti-Immigration conservative Nicolas Sarkozy the winner of the recent Presidential elections against the wishy-washy Socialist counterpart - Segolene Royal - faced off in the 2nd round of voting in a runoff, after effectively eliminating Centrist Francois Bayrou.

A Sarkozy Presidency was dreaded by most overseas French I know because of his authoritarian bent, which is sadly, contradictory to the libertine nation such as France. Born from Hungarian immigrants- the world will closely watch how Sarkozy will handle issues of immigration, unemployment and the French stature in international community. For countries like the Philippines, travel to France would be tighter than ever. My French friend Thomas, whose girlfriend is another lawyer friend, Tina, emphatically told me over cocktails to help him campaign for Royal, because it would be more difficult for Tina to come to France once Sarkozy wins. Alas. More than 24 hours later, his worst nightmare came true. And the same sentiments go with my other friends Claude, Pierre, Louis, Frederic... We will soon find out wont we? Sarkozy, interestingly, seemed to ally itself closer to Washington. Should we be seeing a closer and softer French support for the war efforts in the Middle East?

But how does Sarkozy differs from Royal? The BBC has broken them down into these parts:

Segolene Royal, the Socialists' candidate for the presidency, is the 53-year-old regional premier of Poitou-Charentes. She has laid out a 100-point plan which she would implement if elected France's first female head of state.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the 52-year-old leader of the centre-right UMP and former interior minister, sharply divides opinion but is the front-runner to get into the Elysee Palace after winning 31% of votes cast in the first round.

SALARIES, BENEFITS AND PENSIONS

Minimum wage to rise by about 250 euros ($325) to 1,500 euros per month Raise basic state pension by 5% Jobless to receive 90% of salary for first year of unemployment

Exempt overtime (above 35 hours) from taxes and social security charges Allow workers to retire at the age they want Potentially remove benefits from those who turn down work

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Renegotiated EU treaty put to referendum Create a Eurozone government, which would promote economic growth and agreement on common tax levels New EU-led Mideast peace initiative

"Mini" EU treaty put to French parliament Create a new "Mediterranean Union" comprising France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus Oppose Turkey's membership of the EU

HOUSING

Build 120,000 new council homes per year and allow councils to claim properties empty for two years Cap some private rents and grant lifelong guarantee of housing

Provide assistance to those in council housing who want to buy their property No person forced to sleep rough within two years of his election

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE

Reduce dependence on nuclear power 20% of energy from renewables by 2020 Reform EU farming subsidies to favour environment and smaller farmers

Promote nuclear power as a clean source of energy Increase amount of tax on pollution Simplify EU farming subsidies and link payments to actual market prices for products

ECONOMY AND TAXES

No increase in general taxation Lower tax burden on companies that create jobs "Consolidate" 35-hour week

4 percentage point drop in taxes Exempt up to 95% of population from inheritance tax Allow people to work more than 35 hours if they wish

IMMIGRATION, LAW AND ORDER

Residency papers for those who meet certain criteria such as job contract, time in France Military-style training camps for young offenders

Reduce illegal immigration, pursue selective immigration that favours arrival of qualified workers Minimum sentences for repeat offenders, tougher sentences for juveniles

HOW TO PAY FOR IT

Financed by economic growth of 2.5% every year over next five years

Cut civil service, costs of which account for 45% of government budget