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Sarko Junior Makes His Political Debut

Jean, 21, emerges as player in dad's old suburb of Neuilly

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2008 5:45 AM CST

(Newser) – Before becoming France's hyper-president, Nicolas Sarkozy was mayor of chic Parisian suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine, the country's richest town. But only weeks before a mayoral election, his hand-picked successor has withdrawn from the race after losing a powerful supporter: Jean Sarkozy, the president's own 21-year-old son. Many are now wondering about the political ambitions of Sarkozy fils, writes the Telegraph.

The rich, conservative citizens of Neuilly were angered by the parachuting of presidential spokesman David Martinon into the Sarkozy fiefdom, reports the Times of London. The president sent Jean to campaign, but when Martinon's candidacy became hopeless, the Sarkozys pulled the plug. Sarko junior isn't running for mayor yet, but the time might soon be ripe: his father won the job at only 28.

French presidential spokesman David Martinon, foreground center, escorted by an aide, right, is surrounded by reporters as he walks the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. President Nicolas Sarkozy's home base was in political disarray ahead of municipal elections next month, as his son Jean Sarkozy,...
French presidential spokesman David Martinon, foreground center, escorted by an aide, right, is surrounded by reporters as he walks the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008....   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 21-year-old son Jean Sarkozy, center,  attends a ruling party UMP meeting on his local political situation,  in Paris, Tuesday Feb.12, 2008. Jean Sarkozy will not stand for mayor in a wealthy Paris suburb, the leader of the conservative UMP party said Tuesday, putting an end...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 21-year-old son Jean Sarkozy, center, attends a ruling party UMP meeting on his local political situation, in Paris, Tuesday Feb.12, 2008. Jean Sarkozy will not stand...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 21-year-old son Jean Sarkozy attends a ruling party UMP meeting on his local political situation,  in Paris, Tuesday Feb.12, 2008. Jean Sarkozy will not stand for mayor in a wealthy Paris suburb, the leader of the conservative UMP party said Tuesday, putting an end to...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 21-year-old son Jean Sarkozy attends a ruling party UMP meeting on his local political situation, in Paris, Tuesday Feb.12, 2008. Jean Sarkozy will not stand for mayor...   (Associated Press)
Jean Sarkozy, center, the son of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, with political allies Marie-Cecile Menard, left, and Arnaud Teulle, right, walk the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. President Nicolas Sarkozy's home base was in political disarray ahead of municipal elections next month, as his son...
Jean Sarkozy, center, the son of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, with political allies Marie-Cecile Menard, left, and Arnaud Teulle, right, walk the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
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