Sarkozy won Sunday’s election in France and his presidency has the potential to be a new chapter in France. What sort of chapter that will be is up for debate.

The New York Times worries that Sarkozy’s zeal for security will thwart his desire to be “president of all the French.” The Times says that, “he needs to recognize that there are many equally legitimate ways of being French. And that the problems of poverty and unemployment require much broader solutions than simple law and order.”

The Washington Times admits that Sarkozy is tough, but he is going to need it. “To enact the structural changes needed to shake up France's stagnant economy, Mr. Sarkozy will have to face down this opposition better than his predecessor.”

Anne Applebaum says farewell to Jacques Chirac: "Before Chirac fades from the scene altogether -- or before he becomes embroiled in corruption investigations -- I'd like to take this opportunity to recall some of the highlights of his diplomatic career.”

Suzanne Nossel believes that “it's just possible that Sarkozy's election could mark the start of the republic's first bona fide attempt to tackle its racial and ethnic tensions.”