Sarkozy courts "silent majority" in French presidential race
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PARIS- Hours after Donald Trump's U.S. election victory, a close political ally of French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the moment as "a beautiful day".
While the result aroused anxiety among much of Europe's political mainstream, French legislator Philippe Meunier drew cheers as he warmed up a crowd of conservative faithful before Sarkozy arrived for a rally near the city of Lyon.
"I was woken up this morning to good news from the United States and salute the determination of Americans who were faced with those who lecture us about what to think, and for whom to vote," he said.
At the time, western leaders were offering to work with Trump but making clear their apprehension over his campaign threats on issues ranging from NATO solidarity to the Iran nuclear deal and climate change.
