Morocco: Monarch hails Hollande victory in French presidential polls
Rabat:, 7 May (AKI) – King Mohammed VI of Morocco has hailed the victory of Socialist Francois Hollande in France’s presidential election, saying it mirrored the multi-racial former colonial power’s desire for change.
In a message congratulating Hollande on his win, Mohammed VI said it “reflects the French people’s aspirations for change that will bring a better future, full of progress and prosperity.”
In his historic victory in the presidential run-off on Sunday, Hollande took just under 52 percent of votes to defeat conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.
He has vowed to rework a deal on government debt in eurozone member countries to focus on promoting growth. His victory and the defeat of pro-austerity parties in Greece’s general election on Sunday caused jitters on Monday in international markets.
“Under your presidency, France will certainly obtain significant results that will reinforce the unique position it occupies on the international stage.
“As a superpower, it has helped champion human rights and freedom in a coherent way,” said Mohammed’s message.
Mohammed said he was sure that the “special ties” and the “strategic partnership” between France and Morocco, a former French protectorate, would “become ever-stronger”.
Many of France’s close to seven million immigrants are from Morocco and other North African countries. France has the largest Muslim population in western Europe.
Hollande, the first Socialist to win the French presidency since the early 1980s, is expected to be sworn in on 15 May.
Sarkozy becomes the latest European leader to be voted out of office amid widespread voter anger at austerity measures triggered by the eurozone debt crisis.
Opinion surveys taken in France on Sunday showed the left strongly placed to win a majority in June parliamentary elections, especially since the anti-immigration National Front is set to split the right-wing vote at the expense of Sarkozy’s UMP party.
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