By Andrew L. Jaffee

Who needs democracy when you can riot? Nicolas Sarkozy won Sunday’s presidential election in France with a clear majority (53% to Segolene Royal’s 47%), with voter turnout of 85% — giving him a “resounding” victory and “real authority.” Minor details… A combination of extreme Leftists and unassimilated racaille rioted and vandalized in “a second night of postelection violence [which] left cars burned and store windows smashed.” The Left will only accept democracy if it suits them. The racaille do not understand democracy. Does the Washington Post understand democracy?

[Socialist candidate Segolene] Royal had warned of renewed violence in case of a Sarkozy victory, and had sought to make the campaign a referendum on Sarkozy’s polarizing persona.

But voters favored Sarkozy anyway, handing him a mandate for reforms that include tax cuts and new labor rules making it easier to hire and fire to revive the sluggish economy. He faces a big challenge in carrying this out in a country that cherishes its generous social safety net.

Anyway? Is this an implicit warning to French voters? “Better not vote for Sarkozy because people might riot.”