Monday, January 7, 2008

Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suffered a seven-point drop in the polls as his office scheduled a "major announcement" amid reports he is to marry supermodel lover Carla Bruni next month.

The rating slump came as the controversial premier, who divorced his second wife Cecilia in November, struck a flabby contrast to his new girlfriend as they swam in Egypt.

The slide in his approval ratings - which fell below 50 percent for the first time since his election in May - is mainly due to worries over the economy, pollsters CSA reported.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
Gut-ted: Nicolas Sarkozy frolicking in the sea with future wife Carla Bruni while polls slump

Sarkozy, who is now supported by just 48 per cent of of the French public, is believed to be set to marry Miss Bruni in time for the two to enjoy a state visit to Britain.

Nicolas Sarkozy will marry his supermodel lover Carla Bruni next month - in time for the two to enjoy a state visit to Britain.

The wedding will take place in Paris on February 8 or 9, according to a newspaper owned by a close friend of the French president.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
Ab flab: Sarkozy shows his paunch as he and Bruni stroll down the beach of an Egyptian resort

This will be two weeks after Mr Sarkozy celebrates his 53rd birthday, and less than four months after his divorce from his second wife, Cecilia, also a model.

And it is a month before the planned visit to the UK in March, which was proving to be something of a diplomatic headache for the president.

He would have been the first French head of state to visit here without a wife.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
Plump slump: Sarkozy has been accused of losing credibility over his romance

And his aides were apparently told that Miss Bruni, as his girlfriend, would not have been eligible to accept the Queen's hospitality.

Today the Palace de l'Elysee - the French White House - said it planned to make a "major announcement", which is espected to reveal the wedding date.

And French government source said yesterday: "The marriage certainly looks as though it will take place in the nick of time."

The date was revealed by the highly influential newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, which is owned by Mr Sarkozy's friend Arnaud Lagardere.

It recently revealed that the president gave Miss Bruni, 40, an engagement ring on Christmas Day. They had been dating for less than a month.

Miss Bruni, whose former lovers include Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, had a long-term relationship with philosopher Raphael Enthoven, the father of her son, Aurelien, six.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
FIrst lady to be: Carla with French president Nicolas Sarkozy on holiday in Jordan

She is seen as a bit of a man-eater in France, the government source admitted.

"It is clearly not a style which will go down well with the Royal Family, and that is why it is a good thing they will now be married."

Since the Entente Cordiale - the end of centuries of war between Britain and France - was signed in 1904, every French leader invited on a state visit has been accompanied by a First Lady.

The last was in November 2004 when Jacques Chirac and his wife Bernadette arrived to mark the centenary-of the pact's signing.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
Sarkozy has been playing happy families of his own with girlfriend Carla Bruni and her son, Aurelien Enthoven, from a previous relationship. Here they are pictured in the ancient Nabatean city of Petra on a private visit to the country

Mr Sarkozy - and now his wife - will be accorded every privilege of state, from occupying one of Windsor Castle's most lavish state apartments to riding everywhere in a horse-drawn carriage with a guard of honour.

Place settings are already being worked out for a State Banquet in St George's Hall in the castle.

Mr Sarkozy will be expected to reciprocate with a banquet on the last evening of his visit, with the Queen and other members of the Royal Family in attendance.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
The marriage will solve a diplomatic headache because Mr Sarkozy was set to be the first ever French head of state to visit Britain without a wife in March

The source said: "If the President had travelled to see the Queen without a wife it would have been very embarrassing."

It remains unclear what effect a wedding would have on Mr Sarkozy's standing with the French public.

Elected on an unprecedented wave of popularity, his approval rating has fallen after constant reports about his love life and luxurious lifestyle.
Loved-up Sarkozy's decision to marry Carla costs him dearly in the polls
Bride-to-be: Carla Bruni, modelling swimwear in 1991

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