The President, his wife, their shoes and the Sun King

  We shall get away from the Sarko show next time, I promise, but I can't resist following up the "drunk" video and taking a look at le style Sarkozy a month into his reign.   

BT was right with the good franglais comment on the last posting. L'affaire de la vidéo is certainly a "mediatic blabla" [médiatique is a useful French word]. But it tells us something about France and its sensitivity over the person of the republican monarch.

Over 12 million people have watched the video on the internet. It has made an impact on President Sarkozy's image in European capitals and around the world and everyone has been amused by it in France. Clips have been shown on lesser French tv channels but it has still not been mentioned on the main network news. Newspapers have reported the apology from Eric Boever, the Belgian television presenter who said the president had "clearly not just been drinking water".

Ségolène Royal, the Socialist runner-up for the presidency, joked about the censorship of anything embarrassing to Sarko by the big media. "If it was me and I was behaving like that, rest assured, they would show it," she told a rally for the parliamentary elections.

There is now a consensus over why Sarko appeared the way he did at the G8 press briefing.

His strange behaviour is being put down to euphoria. Sarko, an emotional type who loves talking about his mood and state of mind, was on a high, exulting after his first day as one of the masters of the universe. La Croix, the Catholic paper, investigated the event today and reported that Putin and Sarko had consumed only coffee and chocolate. "Nicolas Sarkozy was in a euphoric state, exuberant over the simple fact of being there among the bigs of this world," said La Croix.

Sarko must tone down his style at international events, starting next week at the European Union summit in Brussels, it said. Libération reached the same conclusion today. Sarko was not drunk, just absurdly pleased with himself "as if he was doped up", it said. "Something sounded false in his words. He was not head of the French state that night. He was Sarko, the energetic politician who... is full of tics and makes everything about himself."

We are getting a clearer picture of the Sarko reign. France has a president with a confessional, emotional nature who wants to be up close to his subects. But he hates criticism, can be ruthless with his courtiers and loves the regal side of the job. This has become visible with the very showy way that Sarko gets around -- with big motorcades and batallions of police closing off streets. Jacques Chirac's outings were modest in comparison.   

Sarkozy's media-owning friends are also supplying breathtakingly servile cover of his doings and especially those of Cécilia, his wife. Read this report on Cécilia's G8 summit from Paris Match, a venerable picture news weekly owned by Sarko's close friend Arnaud Lagardère:

On the shores of the Baltic, the First Lady of France fought the consequences of global warming and the political chill in her own way. In a light dress signed Alaia, Cécilia Sarkozy brought a breath of fresh air to the G8. While the United States and Russia differed over an anti-missile shield and Poland and Czechoslovakia (sic) talked of cold war, she played the charm card and exchanged invitations for the summer with the spouse of President Putin.

She showed the Sarkozy style. Energy and direct language for Monsieur... for Madame, respect for obligations but remaining herself at the same time.

Match unintentionally provided the real talking point from its adoring cover of the Sarko couple: their shoes. Mrs Sarko, who is taller than here husband, is wearing flat soles, while the president walks alongside her, with unusually high heels on his loafers. 

There was more embarrassment for the Sarkozys today. Police found that illegal immigrants were carrying out the renovations at La Lanterne, the splendid lodge in the grounds of the Château de Versailles which the Sarkozy's have made their weekend home.

The 18th century mansion, with swimming pool and tennis court on the edge of the royal gardens is officially the Prime Minister's retreat but the Sarkozy's have taken it over. According to le Parisien today, Cécilia is planning to make it the family's permanent home rather than the draughty Elysée Palace. Jokes about Sarko the Sun King are of course already doing the rounds.   

[President Sarko and Prime Minister François Fillon at La Lanterne]

Comments

[John Hornsby]

The difference between Sarkozy and Royal? Sarkozy can take a joke. Royal is no joke.

[D.Strohl]

JOHN HORNSBY,

Yes, true. Royal has no humour whatsoever, at least in public. In private matters, who knows ... May be François Hollande.

[Terry]

When I recently took the tour at Versailles, the audio guide mentioned that when one of the kings was coronated-he said something to the effect of "I will touch the soul of France". (maybe someone can help me out here) I forgot the exact quote. It was either the Sun King or Louis XVI. It was very close to what Sarko said "I have touched the soul of France."

So who is Sarko going to be? Napoleon, the Sun King or Louis XVI?

[azloon]

the palace and gardens of versailles are my favorite places in france -- so 'over the top.' even the mcdonalds in the town of versailles has marble floors.

if i had a choice of where to live in the paris metro area, the gardens of versailles would be my choice. so sarko and his sometime wife obviously have good taste (a chance to redecorate a cottage on the grounds of versailles apparently is enough to bring the most reluctant spouse back into the relationship for one more try).

sarko: the pro-american "sun king" ?? perhaps. but i say more power to him. as an american, i am more interested in the pro-american part than in his inflated self-regard.

if it takes a self-absorbed, hypomanic, control freak to restore some semblance of cordiality between the u.s. and france, so be it.

vive le sarko. vive le roi de soleil moderne.

[rocket]

John

"The difference between Sarkozy and Royal? Sarkozy can take a joke. Royal is no joke."

I say

"The difference between Sarkozy and Royal? Sarkozy can take a joke. Royal is A JOKE."

[Robert Marchenoir]

Paris-Match is not being unusually servile in this case. Paris-Match is a celebrity paper. The mission statement of such media has never been to investigate, castigate or make fun of, especially when heads of state and their relatives are concerned.

One may criticize Paris-Match core values, but it is certainly unfair to take them to task for applying the same treatment to Cécilia Sarkozy as to Hillary Clinton, Cherie Blair, the Pope or whomever.

The journalistic corps should get to grips with the idea that Paris-Match is not really a newspaper.

[Note from CB: I disagree Robert. Yes it's a celebrity mag but it also has a serious side and absolutely does report news. Its political section, albeit relegated to the back, is required reading. And the stuff on Cecilia is beyond the usual celebrity gush.]

[Peter Newman-Legros]

Flat souls? A Freudian slip-on perhaps?
[Very good Peter. C'était un lapsus in my typing rush. Thanks]

[Edward Johns]

"Flat souls?"
Are these appartment dwellers ?
Or just melancholics ?
(Sorry for the pedantry--it should be spelt SOLES when its a part of the shoe--purely for the French readers who might have been misled.
[Thank you Edward. That's what happens when one hits the button and rushes out to lunch. I've corrected it. CB]

[Denis in Paris]

About the illegal immigrants at La Lanterne: where, pray, is the embarrassment? Is the President supposed to check the legal status of contractor's workers himself? The police are supposed to do so, and it is precisely what they did, with success.

About Paris Match: according to CB, it's a "venerable picture news weekly". Well, I can agree with three quarters of this depiction: it's undoubtedly "weekly", mostly contains "pictures" and is possibly "venerable" - but a "news" magazine it most definitely isn't! ALL presidential wives (regardless of the quality of the Elysée-Lagardère relationship) have benefited from such breathtaking servility: the pretext could have been their elegance or their charitable work. Paris Match has never been about news coverage, but this kind of "journalism" has many fans, deservedly - as these "journalists" are actually rather good at their job. May I also point out that Paris Match is infinitely less vulgar than most British glossies?

[Helen]

Cécilia is still taller than her mari, despite him being the one wearing the heels. Hee hee hee. I'm so juvenile/easily amused....

[Dominique]

Sarkozy loves himself and believes he is above all others human worms? what a surprise! I believe we told you so many times already!

can't we just go on and talk about real subjects?

BTW : poor Cecilia! she is really the worst we ever had. She believes she was elected ridiculous "queen of the jet set"! she believes she is beautiful, smarter that her husband, like if "i'm here, but don't push me or i leave!!" what a pity...

Just go Cecilia....just hit the road.

[richard jones]

We will soon know if it is Sarko - le roi soleil - when Royal is forced to wear an iron mask and disappears à la Bastille.

[Robert Marchenoir]

"Police found that illegal immigrants were carrying out the renovations at La Lanterne."

My understanding is that these immigrants did not even get a chance to begin work.

They showed up at the gate where the police were checking identity papers. Their residency permits were forged. They were arrested.

This, by the way, is happening all over the place, in different businesses. It seems that the police is getting tougher at screening forged IDs, which are probably commonplace. Either that, or there is more forgery around.

The same thing seems to occur in the United States. Many French Leftists, who consider a day without Bush-bashing is a day lost, would be considerably embarrassed to learn that G.W. is trying to push a bill in order to grant an amnesty to an estimated 12-14 million illegal immigrants. And that it is the Democrats, and members of his own party, who oppose the bill.

[Denis in Paris]

@ Richard Jones : I happen to live near la Bastille, and would definitely prefer to see S. Royal sent to the fortress of Pignerol (now Pinerolo, Italy) - where the Iron Mask was actually detained - sparing me the ordeal of having to listen to her awful, grating voice.

[richard jones]

Denis,

Mes excuses mais mon histoire de la France mentionne la Bastille et Pignerol et beaucoup d'autres 'foyers' pour la masque. J'ai choisi la Bastille car c'est par là qui commence des evenements importantes en 1789, soit quasiment le début de la République de laquelle Sarko est le président.

[Valentin]

Hah, it's a PLEASURE (I don't have bold CB, so you'll get mes MAJUSCULES partout désormais), it's a pleasure, I was saying, to take up Charles by his very first words.

"We shall get away from the Sarko show next time, I promise"

Yeah right. That's taking one's desire for reality. Didn't you all journalists get it yet? Sarko will make so that a week don't pass without you feeling COMPELLED to write about him!
Long Live King NAGY BOCSA !

[azloon]

ROBERT MARCHENOIR

re the bush amnesty proposal (he doesn't call it amnesty because that would be the kiss of death)

bush grew up in west texas, among mexicans and mexican-americans. he knew and worked with many of them. his family had mexican domestic help. so he feels close to mexicans and speaks passable spanish.

but the sentimentality bush shows towards mexicans, and willingness to assume a highly controversial political position, stems from the same impulse that impelled him to attack iraq.

that is, he makes his decisions based on feelings of the heart, presumably after listening to god. that's bush's style. opinion polls show that by an enormous plurality, americans don't approve of him, nor by implication, his style.

personally, i hope he's successful with this legislation. my state borders mexico. our economy couldn't funtion without our mexican 'illegals.'

not coincidentally, mexicans are very respectful people and have very strong family values. so they are a major plus for our society. they and their children will make good american citizens when they have been here long enough in a legal status (to qualify for citizenship).

[ersen Arseven]

We are getting a clearer picture of the Sarko reign. France has a president with a confessional, emotional nature who wants to be up close to his subects. But he hates criticism, can be ruthless with his courtiers and loves the regal side of the job. This has become visible with the very showy way that Sarko gets around -- with big motorcades and batallions of police closing off streets. Jacques Chirac's outings were modest in comparison.

Sarkozy's media-owning friends are also supplying breathtakingly servile cover of his doings and especially those of Cécilia, his wife. Read this report on Cécilia's G8 summit from Paris Match, a venerable picture news weekly owned by Sarko's close friend Arnaud Lagardère:

You said it all. Not much furher to say.
Remember the the day Bill Clinton jammed the the LA airport when he was having haircut on Air Force 1?
France got what they deserved. France is irrelevant to world affairs and EU.

[Edward Johns]

"Flat souls?"
Are these appartment dwellers ?
Or just melancholics ?
So nobody spotted the deliberate mistake then....should read apartment with only one "p" !

[christopher muir]

The "Czechoslovakia" error in Paris Match is quite telling. If such a widely sold magazine doesn't know about the existence of the Czech Republic, then French journalism is on the brink of a crisis.

[Denis in Paris]

@ Richard Jones : Obviously you (and your Histoire de France) are right, but as you probably guessed, this wasn't really about accuracy in history (though Pignerol was definitely the place where the Iron Mask spent most of his "life"). This was, meanly and nastily, an opportunity for me to mention Ségo's voice, which, along many French citizens, I'm allergic to - an opportunity I gladly seized (thanks to you).