It remains to be seen how Sarkozy will fare when it comes to France’s role in the European Union, but already experts have begun to react. EuroNews spoke to Paul Magnette, a Belgian political scientist. He said: “In terms of rhetoric, he seems to be a lot more pro-European than Chirac. His European commitments seem more vibrant. But in terms of what’s in his plan of action, he seems to be like Chirac and his predecessors, maybe even more so: attached to the defence of French interests and the role and the place of France at the heart of the European Union.”

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