François Hollande supporters started gathering on Sunday 6th of May into Place de la Bastille in Paris even before the official announcement came out, at 8 o'clock as French tradition. Tens of thousands of people descended on the symbolic rallying point for France’s left to celebrate Hollande victory over the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
It was a party they had waited a long time to hold. Last time a socialist candidated was elected President of France was...
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François Hollande supporters started gathering on Sunday 6th of May into Place de la Bastille in Paris even before the official announcement came out, at 8 o'clock as French tradition. Tens of thousands of people descended on the symbolic rallying point for France’s left to celebrate Hollande victory over the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
It was a party they had waited a long time to hold. Last time a socialist candidated was elected President of France was François Mitterand re-election in 1988.
Most of the young people present here tonight were not even born. Twenty four years, the length of a generation, during which the world has changed. There still was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and since its collapse the socialist parties throughout the world had to restyle their manifesto.

François Hollande seems to have found the recipe that left movements in other countries have been dreaming for. The candidate of the Socialist Party emphasised his promise to be a "Monsieur Normal" President. Liberation opened on monday emphasized the point and playing with the double meaning of the word representing this historical victory. This gallery wants to highlight the feeling of normality still palpable among celebrating crowd.

Throughout the electoral campaign François Hollande contrasted Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential style. From the opening he seemed to be backed by the people and favoured by the polls.
François Hollande popularity grew. His policy aims to target tax cuts for the wealthy and tax exemptions introduced by President Sarkozy. Income tax would be raised to 75% for incomes beyond one million euros. Retirement age would be brought back to 60 for persons who have worked 42 years. Jobs cut by Nicolas Sarkozy in public education would be recreated. Homosexual couples would have the right to marry and adopt.

With a slogan (and a website) going "Le changement c'est maintenant" (change is now) bottles of champagne were popped as the hordes revelled in his triumph. Crowds swarmed over the Bastille monument to get a better view while others climbed on top of traffic lights and any possible elevated spot. Victory was celebrated by groups of people of all origins dancing and chanting “Bye bye Sarkozy”. Red and French flags, roses and posters were waived in triumph.

Despite the celebration of the night before, in the street of Paris, 'normalité' is the word describing best the atmosphere of the post-electoral monday. Buses and metro are busy of commuters and students, some red clothes are the only visible signs to mark an historical moment.

Edited from Wikipedia, France24.
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