Nicolas Sarkozy

A business lawyer by profession, he successively held the office of mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine, member of parliament, spokesperson of the government, minister of Budget, minister of Communication, minister of Interior, minister of Economy and Finance and president of the general council of the Hauts-de-Seine. While he is the president of the UMP, Nicolas Sarkozy won the 2007 presidential election with 53,06 % of the vote in the second round, facing the candidate, socialist Ségolène Royal. He takes his functions of 23eprésident of the French Republic on 16 may 2007. Its mandate is primarily marked by the beginning of the impact in France of the "Great Recession" and the debt crisis in the euro area. A candidate for the 2012 presidential election for a second term at the head of the State, it brings together 48,36 % of the vote in the second round, and François Hollande, succeeded him on may 15, 2012. Since his departure from the presidency, he is a member of the constitutional Council.