My dear compatriots, as I speak to you this evening, at this time which, as everyone understands, is exceptional in a man’s life, I feel enormous, sincere, deep emotion. From a very young age I have felt incredible pride at belonging to a great, an old, a beautiful nation, that of France.

I love France as you love someone dear, someone that has given me everything. Now it is my turn to give back to France what France has given me...