Sarkozy takes over Chirac party
November 28, 2004
By France.com
He replaces Mr Chirac’s ally, Alain Juppe, who was found guilty in a party financing scandal.
Mr Sarkozy is widely expected to use the post to build up support for a presidential run in 2007 against Mr Chirac, his former mentor.
He won the party leadership ballot comfortably, with 85% of the vote.
The 49-year-old, seen as one of France’s most popular politicians, will give up his ministerial post on Monday to take up the party chairman post.
Mr Sarkozy’s election prompted cheering from thousands of supporters at the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) congress outside Paris.
In a televised acceptance speech, Mr Sarkozy said he would use his new role to shake up France with reform.
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