2007 - Electoral triumph and 'bling-bling' president

On 6 May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy won the second round of the French presidential elections with 53% of the vote, becoming the new President of the Republic. The victory was immediately followed by a controversial event: the sumptuous celebration banquet at Fouquet's restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. This dinner, attended by VIPs and wealthy businessmen including Vincent Bolloré (who also hosted him on his yacht during a holiday in Malta), indelibly marked Sarkozy's image. The media coined the nickname 'President Bling-Bling' for him, indicating a flamboyant and over-the-top lifestyle.