Sarkozy Victory Sets Off Limited Riots

A riot police officer argues with a protester during a demonstration at the Place de la Bastille in Paris to protest against the presidential election victory of rightwing candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, Monday May 7, 2007. Rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy won the French presidential election, beating Socialist Segolene Royal with about 53 percent of the vote, according to early projections from polling. ( AP Photo/Jacques Brinon) (Jacques Brinon - AP)

Sarkozy himself was on a yacht in the Mediterranean, taking time to rest before he takes over from Jacques Chirac on May 16.

Critics on the left assailed him for his high-budget retreat _ the yacht belongs to prominent magnate Vincent Bollore and was outfitted with huge plasma TVs and a whirlpool bath.

Hollande was more understanding, though he said he wanted to know who paid for the vacation. "I find it normal that after a campaign that was also difficult for him, he needs rest," he said.

The Socialists and Sarkozy's UMP party are now looking ahead to parliamentary elections June 10 and 17. The UMP needs a majority to keep his mandate for reforms. A win by the left would bring "cohabitation" _ an awkward power-sharing with a leftist prime minister _ which would put a stop to his plans.

The Socialists, however, are in disarray, with many calling for an overhaul of a party still attached to Marxist ideas that have lost currency in an era of borderless markets.

Hollande sought to shore up his authority by insisting Tuesday that he would lead the party's legislative campaign _ not Royal.

Sarkozy has drawn up a whirlwind agenda for his first 100 days in office and plans to put big reforms before parliament at an extraordinary session in July. One would make overtime pay tax-free to encourage people to work more. Another would put in place tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, and a third would toughen the criteria for immigrants trying to bring their families to France.

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Associated Press writer Jean-Pierre Verges contributed to this report.