Paris, May 7 (IANS): French president-elect Francois Hollande said Sunday night he felt proud for bringing hope to France and that change will start from now.
In an address to his supporters after the presidential election, Hollande said his first mission upon his inauguration would be uniting the French people, facing all challenges and getting the country out of crisis, Xinhua reported.
"I feel proud of bringing hope to the country," he said to thousands of his supporters in Tulle city, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2008.
Outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy admitted his defeat, and said he had wished Hollande "good luck" in a phone call.
Hollande beat Sarkozy in a tight run-off election to win the presidency with 51.9 percent of the vote to Sarkozy's 48.1 percent, the website of France 24 TV channel reported citing the Ipsos polling institute.