Sarko Lied About Berlin Wall Memories

Dominoes, fireworks, music help mark 20 years

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of foam dominoes will fall today in Berlin, symbolizing the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has called Nov. 9, 1989, "the happiest day in recent German history," will lead the festivities. The guest list includes Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, and Lech Walesa. A concert at the landmark Brandenburg Gate and a fireworks display will end the celebration. More»

(NEWSER) - It must be time to bolster political support. Not only has French President Nicolas Sarkozy launched his own Facebook page, he has also posted a video of himself "casually dropping in" on a magazine interview with his wife. The two can barely tear their eyes away from each other, as Sarko purrs: "Doesn't she look great?" As he leaves, wife Carla Bruni tells him: "Bon courage, chou chou," which translates to "Be brave, sweetie pie." More»

Rival shrugs as president officially launches bid

(NEWSER) - To the surprise of nobody in France, Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he's seeking a second term as president. He officially launched his re-election bid in a TV interview last night, comparing himself to a "ship captain whose boat is in the thick of a storm," and promising that "if the French trust me and give me another five years in office, these five years will not be the same as the first.” More»

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

(NEWSER) - With the French presidential election just three months away, Nicolas Sarkozy took to the airwaves last night to tell voters about a tax hike. The president announced a sales tax rise from 19.6% to 21.2% and a new "Robin Hood" tax on financial transactions, the BBC reports. Sarkozy said he wants to "create a shockwave" with the 0.1% levy and he hopes other European countries will soon follow his lead. More»

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

(NEWSER) - Bad news, Francophiles: It just became harder to become French. Nicolas Sarkozy’s government has just thrown up some tough new hurdles for would-be French citizens, requiring them to pass a difficult language test (foreigners will need to speak French at the level of a French 15-year-old) and swear allegiance to "French values," the Los Angeles Times reports. The new rules, which went into effect on Jan. 1, also forbid the new citizens from claiming “allegiance to another country while on French soil,” though dual nationality is still permitted. More»