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Pro-Family Candidate Elected President of France over Gay 'Marriage', Euthanasia Supporter

Sarkozy stated, "Our model must remain that of a heterosexual family: children need a father and a mother"

By Gudrun Schultz and John-Henry Westen

PARIS, France, May 7, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Nicholas Sarkozy was elected Sunday to a five-year term as president of France, in a solid win indicating the strength of public support for a decisive change in the leadership policies for the nation.  Key among the differences between Sarkozy and his main competitor socialist Ségolène Royal was their opposite opinions on the legalization of homosexual 'marriage' and euthanasia.

The leader of the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement, Sarkozy won the vote with 53.06 percent. Top contender Royal, received 46.94 percent of votes cast. Reports showed a high voter turnout, with 75 percent of registered voters casting their ballots by five in the afternoon. In total, 85 percent of those registered to vote turned up at the polls.

In June of last year the race heated up as Royal announced that if elected President, her party would legalize homosexual 'marriage' and homosexual adoption of children.  In an interview with a French homosexual magazine Tetu Royal said: "Opening up marriage to same-sex couples is needed in the name of equality, visibility and respect." On adoption she said, "Whether the parents are homosexual or heterosexual, adoption is above all a family project. From the moment a same-sex couple is recognised as a family, this family has the right to conceive of family projects."

Sarkozy on the other hand, maintained that the family must be protected. "Our model," he said, "must remain that of a heterosexual family: children need a father and a mother."

In February, as Royal was beginning to get desperate seeing Sarkozy in a near-constant lead, she made the promise to legalize euthanasia if elected.  Speaking on prime-time television she said, "It is time to launch a public debate on this question.  I would seek legislation which would allow people to face up with dignity to the most intense suffering."  Sarkozy, while not pro-life on abortion, opposed the euthanasia measure.

Last year Sarkozy called for France to repudiate its anti-religious prejudice and look again at a positive relationship between Church and state. In a book-length interview entitled La République, les religions, l'espérance [The Republic, the Religions, and Hope], Sarkozy recalled critically "the preceding generations" that "scorned, despised, and ridiculed priests and friars."

In his victory speech Sarkozy reached out to all citizens of France with a pledge to be the president "for all the French people."
 
"The French people have spoken and have chosen to make a break with the ideas, the customs and the behaviour of the past. I am thus going to restore the status of work, authority, standards, respect, merit. I am going to give the place of honour back to the nation and national identity. I am going to give back to the French people pride in France," he said.

While stating his sincere belief in European construction, Sarkozy said France's European partners must be aware of the voice of those who do not want changes imposed upon them.

With the weeks preceding the election filled with stories of the European Parliament condemning Poland for its stand in favour of the traditional family, many are welcoming a comment from Sarkozy's election speech which seems to address the matter.

"I entreat our European partners not to remain deaf to the anger of people who perceive the European Union not as a source of protection but as the Trojan horse of all the threats that come with the changes in the world," he said.

Sarkozy faced down a vicious assault waged by the Royal campaign in the final days before the election, targeting his socially conservative views. Royal's tactics attempted to paint Sarkozy as a would-be tyrant dangerous to the peace of the nation.

See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:

France: Royal Campaign Demonizes Leading Candidate Sarközy for "Hard Right" Views
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/may/07050107.html

Major Signs of Religious Revival Seen in France and Quebec
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/may/06052606.html

France's Choice for President: Gay "Marriage" or Re-Marriage Between Church and State
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061906.html

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