CBCnews
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share

Sarkozy suggests wedding plans underway

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 | 8:47 AM ET

France's president addressed the rumours he had proposed to his new girlfriend, suggesting on Tuesday that wedding plans are in the works.

Nicolas Sarkozy told reporters at a news conference in Paris that his relationship with Carla Bruni is "serious."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday, says his relationship with Carla Bruni is 'serious.'French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday, says his relationship with Carla Bruni is 'serious.'
(Michel Euler/Associated Press)

The weekly Le Journal Du Dimanche reported Sunday that Sarkozy has already proposed to Bruni, giving her a heart-shaped diamond ring. The newspaper reported the pair were planning to marry on Feb. 8 or 9.

Sarkozy laughed off the newspaper report, saying, "It isn't the [Journal du Dimanche newspaper] that will set the date.

"There is a strong chance that you will learn about it after it's already done," said Sarkozy, who was elected president last May.

Sinking popularity

French newspaper editorials have questioned Sarkozy's public holidays with Bruni, accusing him of using the highly public romance to distract from his recent slide in the polls. The pair have been photographed arm in arm touring Egypt and Disneyland Paris.

Sarkozy's approval rating has fallen from 55 per cent to 48 per cent, a French CSA poll reported Sunday. That's a drop from a high of 65 per cent last July, two months after his election.

An editorial in L'Est Republicain said Sarkozy has forgotten "that he should have a romance with France, and not with himself and his paramour," while L'Alsace newspaper criticized the glamourous and public nature of the relationship.

"The glitter makes many French people dream, but it also irritates many others — especially those who have a hard time making ends meet."

Sarkozy, who spoke for more than two hours during Tuesday's news conference, said he was breaking a long-standing tradition of French leaders keeping their love lives secret, with the tacit agreement of the media.

He alluded to late former French president Francois Mitterrand, who kept the existence of a mistress and illegitimate daughter a secret for most of his 1981-95 presidency.

"I have been a part of a break with a deplorable tradition in our country: hypocrisy and lies," Sarkozy said.

"Carla and I have decided not to lie."

Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia divorced in October. A marriage to Bruni would be Sarkozy's third. He divorced his first wife, Marie, in the late 1980s after befriending Cecilia.

Bruni, a former supermodel turned singer, has been linked with Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Donald Trump.

With files from the Associated Press
  • This story is now closed to commenting.
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share
 

Related

Video

Genevieve Oger reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 2:51)
Play: QuickTime »
Play: Real Media »

World Headlines

Indonesian ferry sinks in storm
Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said.
Iranian forces practise defending nuke sites
Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.
China mine blast toll rises to 87
The death toll from a coal mine explosion in northern China rose to 87 on Sunday as rescue crews worked in frigid temperatures to reach 21 miners still trapped underground.
U.S. health-care bill clears Senate hurdle
Democrats united Saturday night to narrowly push historic health-care legislation past a key U.S. Senate hurdle over the opposition of Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama.
Italian police arrest Mumbai attack suspects
Italian police on Saturday arrested a Pakistani father and son accused of helping fund and providing logistical support for last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, authorities said.

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than one time'
Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
Indonesian ferry sinks in storm
Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said.
Iranian forces practise defending nuke sites
Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.
Plaskett double winner at Canadian Folk Music Awards
Joel Plaskett's triple album Three earned the Halifax singer-songwriter a double win at the Canadian Folk Music Awards on Saturday.
Canadian speedskater Groves wins gold
Kristina Groves of Ottawa won her first World Cup gold of the season on Sunday, prevailing in the 1,500-metre race in Hamar, Norway.