Nicolas Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy is a former French politician who served as the 23rd President of France and who has dedicated his working life to public service. A visionary leader, Sarkozy also served as Minister of State, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry and Minister of the Interior and Spatial Planning. He served as President of the French Republic for 5 years from 2007 to 2012, and was well known for his straightforward approach in handling critical issues including national security, immigration, global economics and foreign policy. Sarkozy was pivotal in ending the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia, and was one of the leading forces of the response to end the Euro Crisis.

He has received numerous accolades and humanitarian awards, including the Tolerance Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom), a World Statesman Award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and a Humanitarian Award from the Elie Wiesel Foundation. Sarkozy is also a prolific author who has written several best-selling books on politics and the challenges faced in the 21st century, including Tout Pour La France, La France Pour La Vie and The Republic, Religions, Hope.

Born in Paris, he began his political career when he became a city councillor in Neuilly-sur-Seine when he was 23, going on to be elected mayor of the town. With his political career on an unstoppable rise, Sarkozy then began to occupy several ministerial posts, including Minister of the Interior, Minister of State, Minister of Budget and Minister of Economy. In 2007, he won the French presidential election and began a term that would see Sarkozy expertly handle issues surrounding the late-2000s financial crisis and the Russo-Georgian War.