Sarkozy concedes, phones Hollande to wish him luck

Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PARIS — President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday conceded defeat to his Socialist rival Francois Hollande and said he had phoned him to wish him luck as the new leader of France.

“The French people have made their choice… Francois Hollande is the president of France and he must be respected,” he said in a speech to supporters, adding that he had wished his successor well.