Congratulations to Donald Trump, the new president of the United States - and to the people of America, who are free.

Our political class no longer has any convictions. You can only pass along the beliefs that you hold. They no longer believe in France - they have a post-national worldview. I call them France-skeptics. That's why democracy is collapsing here in France.

France isn't burkinis on the beach. France is Brigitte Bardot. That's France.

Vive les peuples, Vive la Republique! Vive la France!

Germany has become the economic heart of Europe because our leaders are weak. But Germany should never forget that France is Europe's political heart. What is happening here today foreshadows what will happen in the rest of Europe in the coming years: the great return of the nation-state, which they wanted to obliterate.

It's because of this massive immigration and more in some places, (that) France's image has undeniably changed. There are a number of neighborhoods where you are no longer living a French life. That's undeniable.

I have a certain admiration for Vladimir Putin because he doesn't allow decisions to be forced upon him by other countries. I think he focuses first and foremost on what is good for Russia and the Russians. As such, I have the same respect for Putin that I do for Ms. Merkel.