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Sarkozy, Wife Confirm Split

First couple confirms split as transit strike grinds France to halt

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 18, 2007 7:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy's office confirmed that he and his indomitable wife Cecilia are separating even as transit strikers railing against his economic reforms have idled France—handing the bombastic French president a bad day, indeed. The 1-2 punch ends months of speculation about the collapse of the 11-year marriage, and provides Sarkozy the biggest challenge of his nascent presidency. 

Cecilia Sarkozy, a model who told a reporter before the May election that the idea of being France's first lady "bores me," has recently been spotted in a Swiss hotel where an old lover lives. The Sarkozys were separated for several months in 2005. Meanwhile, strikes protesting Sarkozy's proposed pension cutbacks crippled 90% of French transit, with some union workers vowing to continue the strike tomorrow.

Then new French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, wipes a tear on his wife Cecilia's cheek at the Elysee Palace in Paris during Sarkozy's taking office ceremony in this May, 16, 2007 file photo. Sarkozy and his wife have confirmed they are separating. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File)
Then new French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, wipes a tear on his wife Cecilia's cheek at the Elysee Palace in Paris during Sarkozy's taking office ceremony in this May, 16, 2007 file photo. Sarkozy...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy gestures as he delivers a speech before the French Economic and Social Council, marking World Poverty Day, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 at the council's headquarters in Paris. The Economic and Social Council is a constitutional consultative assembly, which advises the government. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, pool)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy gestures as he delivers a speech before the French Economic and Social Council, marking World Poverty Day, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 at the council's headquarters in Paris....   (Associated Press)
Then new French President Nicolas Sarkozy kisses his wife Cecilia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, in this May 16, 2007 file photo during the taking office ceremony. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, have confirmed they are separating. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File)
Then new French President Nicolas Sarkozy kisses his wife Cecilia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, in this May 16, 2007 file photo during the taking office ceremony. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, have...   (Associated Press)
A man hitch hikes while another one rides his bicycle in Paris Thursday Oct. 18, 2007. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced to walk, pedal or drive to work in large numbers, and many are thought to be staying...
A man hitch hikes while another one rides his bicycle in Paris Thursday Oct. 18, 2007. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced to walk,...   (Associated Press)
High Speed trains sit in the Part-Dieu train station in Lyon, central France, Thursday Oct. 18, 2007. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced to walk, pedal or drive to work in large numbers, and many staying home. (AP Photo/Laurent...
High Speed trains sit in the Part-Dieu train station in Lyon, central France, Thursday Oct. 18, 2007. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced...   (Associated Press)
A pigeon is seen early Thursday Oct. 18, 2007, at the empty Gare de Lyon train station in Paris. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced to walk, pedal or drive to work in large numbers, and many thought to...
A pigeon is seen early Thursday Oct. 18, 2007, at the empty Gare de Lyon train station in Paris. A public transport strike billed as France's biggest in years was in full swing, with commuters forced...   (Associated Press)
Nicolas Sarkozy, and his wife Cecilia walk during the garden party at the Elysee Palace, as part of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, in this July 14, 2004 file photo. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, have informed a judge they are separating, a respected news weekly reported Wednesday Oct. 17,...
Nicolas Sarkozy, and his wife Cecilia walk during the garden party at the Elysee Palace, as part of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, in this July 14, 2004 file photo. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia,...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and French first lady Cecilia Sarkozy smile at the Elysee Palace in Paris in this June 5, 2007 file photo. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, have informed a judge they are separating, a respected news weekly reported Wednesday Oct. 17; 2007. The president's office would...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and French first lady Cecilia Sarkozy smile at the Elysee Palace in Paris in this June 5, 2007 file photo. Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, have informed a judge...   (Associated Press)
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A profile of Cecilia Sarkozy
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Nicolas Sarkozy • France • Cecilia Sarkozy • transit strike

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