Inauguration of French President Francois Hollande (7 images)

Francois Hollande declared he would "open a new way in Europe" as he was inaugurated Tuesday as president of France in a ceremony at Elysee Palace in Paris. Hollande, 57, is the seventh president of the Fifth Republic and the first Socialist to hold the office since Francois Mitterrand.

The car of outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy awaits at the edge of the red carpet laid across the patio of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 15, 2012, before his departure at the end of his mandate. France's new president Francois Hollande took over. UPI/Eco Clement

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Outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy (L) welcomes France's new president Francois Hollande on the steps of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 15, 2012. UPI/Eco Clement

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Outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes France's new president Francois Hollande on the steps of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 15, 2012. UPI/Eco Clement

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France's new president Francois Hollande (R) bids farewell to outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy, on the steps of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 15, 2012. In the background, their respective partner and wife, Valerie Trieweiler (L) and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy look on. UPI/Eco Clement

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