Sarkozy Steps Out With Singer/Model

French government gets the fitness bug after president loses 15 pounds

(NEWSER) - Nicolas Sarkozy has lost 15 pounds since he married Carla Bruni, subsisting on a diet of cottage cheese, fruit compote, and bottled water—and he's not the only one in the French government who's slimming down. As the Times of London reports, Sarkozy is pressuring his ministers to lose weight, going so far as to replace the meat and cheese on offer in government kitchens with fish and veggies. More»

Recent jewelry-trading reported, but French prez has no comment

(NEWSER) - Nicolas Sarkozy and very new girlfriend Carla Bruni may soon tie the knot, gushes French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, citing decidedly anonymous sources. Sarkozy reportedly gave the Italian supermodel/songstress a heart-shaped pink diamond ring and plans to wed her on February 8 or 9, writes the AP. Presidential spokesmen had no comment. 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»