Above: Francois Hollande

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Victorin Lurel, the current head of the Regional council of Guadeloupe, is hailing the victory of Francois Hollande in the French presidential election.

Lurel, who was also the head of the overseas division of Hollande’s campaign, called it an “historic vote of confidence.”

According to a statement by Lurel, five of the 10 best poll showings for the incoming French president came overseas.

“In Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, St Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, but also St Martin, voters sent a message of hope,” Lurel said.

The regional council head said Hollande would “be attentive to the concerns of all overseas territories,” including those where Sarkozy came ahead.

Those territories included St Barthelemy, Mayotte, New Caledonia and French Polynesia, according to Lurel.

Lurel has led Guadeloupe’s Regional Council since 2004.