In 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy finally succeeded: The French people elected him as president. Daniela Kallinich's study illustrates how Sarkozy managed to reach this office despite all the adverse circumstances. She also examines his background, which almost inevitably made him an outsider in the race for the top positions in French politics. The various stages of his political career are thoroughly explored and contextualized within the historical and societal circumstances. Mentors and opponents, such as former French President Jacques Chirac and the Gaullist party, which played a significant role in Sarkozy's political career, are also important in this narrative. The uniqueness of his path to the highest office remains a central focus, as it differs from that of most of his predecessors and many of his colleagues.