Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
Born on January 28, 1955 in Paris.
In 1978, graduated from the Law Department at Sorbonne (Paris University X) in Nanterre, majoring in constitutional law and political science; holds a master's degree in Private Law. From 1979 to 1981, studied (without receiving a diploma) at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences.
In 1977, was elected member of the municipal council of the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
In 1983, was elected mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
In 1988, was elected to France's National Assembly from the Upper Seine Department (re-elected in 1993, 1995 and 1997).
From July to September 1999, deputy of the European Parliament with the Union for Europe of the Nations.
In 1995, was elected a member of the political bureau and press secretary of the centre-right neo-Gaullist Rally for France (RPR).
In 1998 and 1999, acting RPR chairman and RPR general secretary.
From 1993 to 1995, budget planning minister in the Edouard Balladur-led government.
From January to April 1995, acting public relations minister.
From 2002 to 2004, minister of the interior, internal security and local government in the government led by Jean-Pierre Raffarin.
From March to November 2004, state minister, minister of the economy, finance and industry in the government of Jean-Pierre Raffarin and in this capacity a co-chairman of the Russian-French Council for the Economy, Finance, Industry and Commerce (CEFIC).
From 2005 to 2007, state minister, minister of the interior and territory development and, according to seniority protocol, the number two official in the government of Dominique de Villepin.
From 2004 to 2007, chairman of the ruling centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).
On May 6, 2007, Sarkozy was elected president of the French Republic, receiving 53.06% of the vote.
In October 2007, Sarkozy made a working visit to Russia. In May 2008, Russian Prime Minister Putin held talks with Sarkozy during his working visit to France.
On August 12 and September 8, 2008, as part of efforts to resolve the crisis in the Caucasus, Sarkozy made brief working visits to Moscow for talks with Medvedev and Putin.
