A look at French president Nicolas Sarkozy's rise to power.

May 6, 2007. France's run-up to the presidential elections. As the French people are getting ready to go to the polls to elect their new president, Nicolas Sarkozy has shut himself away in his home. Even though he knows he has won the battle, he is gloomy and looks despondent in his dressing gown. All day long, he has been trying to get in touch with Cecilia - to no avail. The last five years unfurl, recounting Sarkozy's unstoppable ascent, riddled with backstage underhand trickery, fits of anger and confrontations.—Happy_Evil_Dude