History of the European Union since 2004 against and 29 abstentions. The 2009 elections again saw a victory for the European People's Party, despite losing the British Conservatives who formed a smaller eurosceptic grouping with other anti-federalist right wing parties. Parliament's presidency was once again divided between the People's Party and the Socialists, with Jerzy Buzek elected as the first eastern European to become President of the European Parliament. In 2008, Barroso had steadily won support from leaders for a second term as president, Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi both declared their support for Barroso, though Barroso himself stated it is up to the political parties in
Domestic policy of the Nicolas Sarkozy administration fight against the social effects of the crisis. On 28 October, the President unveiled to support employment, with significant aids by the government. On 20 November, Nicolas Sarkozy created the "Fonds stratégique d'investissement", a sovereignty fund with 20 billion euros to help French companies and banks fighting the crisis. The budget bill was revised down several times, with falling tax revenues, a growing deficit, and exploding debt. Finally, on 4 December, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a 26 billion euros stimulus package to fight the economic crisis. The day after, Patrick Devedjian was appointed Minister of the economic revival. The 2009