Sarko in Snit Walks Out on '60 Minutes' Interview

French prez rushed to military clinic a day after Le Split, says new book

(NEWSER) - In the latest Sarko plotline, a new book reveals that the French president was hospitalized the day after announcing his divorce from wife Cécilia—and that sick and depressed, he called her from the hospital and she rushed to his bedside. The Daily Mail reports that Nicolas Sarkozy was taken to to a military hospital on October 21, suffering from high fever and a throat abscess. More»

French first lady admits affair, says she wanted out of public eye

(NEWSER) - Cecilia Sarkozy told L'Est Republicain today that although she had "tried everything" to avoid divorce, her relationship with the French president wouldn't work. "France elected a man, not a couple," she said. Mme. Sarkozy confessed for the first time publicly that she fell in love with another man in 2005; when she went off to be with him, she felt the punishing glare of the spotlight and realized it was not for her. "I am someone who likes the shadows, serenity, tranquility.” More»

President-elect has a packed first 40 days

(NEWSER) - Following last night’s victory over Nicolas Sarkozy , Francois Hollande will have to jump right in to his new role—he will be sworn in as France’s president next Tuesday, the BBC notes. What does his election mean?

• Hollande has vowed to renegotiate the eurozone budget treaty Sarkozy championed along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the German government today is trying to cut that off at the pass, calling it “not possible.”
• Though Hollande's election has fueled hope among many French hungry for jobs, economic growth, and the end of austerity, he faces the same debt problems Sarkozy did. Der Spiegel notes that Hollande knows just how tough is the job ahead of him: Rather than appearing celebratory last night, the unsmiling victor “seemed tired, weak, and overwhelmed,” the paper reports.

Far-right leader doesn't get behind Francois Hollande or Nicolas Sarkozy

(AP) - Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is refusing to endorse either candidate in France's presidential runoff and says she will cast a blank protest ballot. Le Pen, who came in a strong third place in the first round of voting April 22, told her supporters at a big rally in Paris to "vote according to your conscience" and said, "I will cast a blank ballot," explaining that she could not endorse Nicolas Sarkozy or Socialist challenger Francois Hollande. Polls favor Hollande, but Sarkozy hopes to win over Le Pen's voters for Sunday's runoff. More»

President, chief rival will face each other in May 6 runoff election for presidency

(AP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy and chief rival Francois Hollande are headed for a showdown on May 6, after finishing as the top two candidates in today's first round of voting in France's presidential elections. Though the French government has yet to finalize the tally, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets are reporting that Sarkozy captured between 25% and 26% of the vote, while Hollande took in 27% to 29%. Since no one won more than half, both candidates head to the runoff, where previous polling had suggested that the Socialist Hollande could deny Sarkozy his bid for re-election. More»