World | Francois Hollande Day 1 as French President: Lightning Hits His Plane What a way for Francois Hollande to start his term By Evann Gastaldo Posted May 15, 2012 12:30 PM CDT Copied Reporters wait at the chancellery in Berlin for the arrival of new French President Francois Hollande, Tuesday May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/dapd/Maja Hitij) Francois Hollande started off his new job as president of France with a bang: His plane was hit by lightning today en route to Germany. It was forced to return to Paris, at which point Hollande boarded a second plane and will be about an hour and a half late for his talks with Angela Merkel in Berlin. No one was hurt, reports the BBC, which also notes that Hollande’s boarding of a new flight proves "his determination to meet with Merkel." Read These Next Their dad left them a nudist colony. Buyers are scarce. We now know what might send bedbugs scurrying. Back to the Future star is at the center of a shocking suit. Pete Hegseth has some academic news for military members. Report an error