Sarkozy voters expect change after French election

By Jon Boyle

PARIS (Reuters) - Ecstatic supporters hailed Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential election triumph on Sunday as the start of an era of change that would revive France's fortunes.

About 13,000 party workers and well-wishers packed into a meeting hall in central Paris sang the national anthem, booed Sarkozy's defeated Socialist rival Segolene Royal and chanted victory even before the result was announced.

The hall erupted in a deafening roar when the first official estimate appeared on a giant screen. Friends hugged, others bounced up and down wildly, and many took photographs with their mobile phones held high above their heads.

A large banner in the red-white-and-blue of the national flag was unfurled from a balcony with the inscription: "Sarkozy President".

Outside, supporters sporting blue Sarkozy campaign T-shirts and campaign balloons cheered, waved banners, blew horns and lit red distress flares when the first official estimate announced a clear victory.

"It means change, very rapid change, and a France that at last will start earning money and return to being one of the world leaders," said Fanny Klochendler, 29, a dog stylist.

David Lubrati, 52, who works in the French fashion industry, said Sarkozy's victory would have an impact beyond France's borders.

"I think it's going to mean a great deal of change for France and all of the European countries. We really needed to get everyone back to work," he said.