When Margaret Thatcher took over in Britain, she shook things up and made her country a radically more conservative society. If he becomes president, will Nicolas Sarkozy do the same for France?

Some excerpts from the BBC story:

On Sunday, he was surrounded by tens of thousands of supporters as he came to rally the party, the stage behind him lit in the French colours, as he promised a new start for this nation if he is made president.

"Only hard work will create new jobs. Only hard work will get this country out of debt. And it's hard work that will bring us together as a nation," he said, to cheers from the packed conference hall at the Porte de Versailles in Paris.

It was an almost Thatcherite call to arms as the party leader promised radical reform and a break with the past. ...

"He's the only one who can give us hope and create new jobs, and stop the young French leaving the country to look for work in London and elsewhere," said Laurence, a young Sarkozy supporter who travelled to Paris from her job in London.

Her fellow UMP supporter, Philippe, agreed. "He's the one man who can solve the many issues France has, like unemployment at 9%. We can't carry on this way."