Italian Carla opens French British affair

                                                                                                                            

France is a little bemused today by the collective swoon of the British over Carla Bruni and her husband since they arrived on their shores. All those superlatives from overheated broadcasters and the the comparisons with Grace Kelly and Princess Diana suggest that les anglais have lost their sang froid. "The English conquered by Carla," said a headline in le Parisien, under its story on "L'Opération séduction du couple Sarkozy à Londres". The British only had eyes for the Italian Madame Sarkozy, noted France2 television. 

There is an interesting precedent.  When JFK landed in France in 1961, he joked: "I'm the man who accompanied Jackie Kennedy to Paris."

That is of course exactly what Sarko was aiming for when they decided to dress Madame Bruni-Sarkozy in the 60s-retro Dior outfit with pillbox hat -- even if she looked a little like an airline stewardess. Since the night of his election last May President Sarkozy has been trying to remake Kennedy's Camelot. He boasted then: "If you liked Jackie Kennedy, you're going to love Cécilia (His wife at the time)." The idyll started well with JFK style-photoshoots of young Louis Sarkozy playing in the Elysée Palace like the late John-John Kennedy. Their summer holiday in New Hampshire was a nod at the Kennedy clan's New England compound. "Sarkalot" vanished when Cécilia walked out last October taking Louis with her, but she was swiftly replaced by an even more Jackie-looking consort.

Sarkozy, as we predicted, is revelling in all the adulation, not just for his wife and the style of his travelling court but also for the "new honeymoon" that he has opened with Britain, as le Figaro put it today. His speech to Parliament, a love letter to the British unlike anything heard from a French leader, is deemed typical Sarko -- over the top. It's all very well embracing the Brits, but they have to give something in return, I heard from French politician friends. His line about the faltering Franco-German motor was clearly meant to needle Chancellor Angela Merkel. "He stuck the knife in the decades-old contract between Paris and Berlin," France Soir said. "The Franco-German couple might find it hard to get over this infidelity."

Read here for an opinion piece on psyching out Sarko that I wrote in today's newspaper.

And back to the froth: Jackie Kennedy-Onassis did not feature naked in French papers on the morning of her arrival in Paris. Carla's appearance, reproduced in certain British media (last post), was deemed un peu shocking on this side of the Channel. Once again, the British are managing to puzzle the French with their oddness -- that mixture of  formality, irreverence and eccentricity. The royal outfits are an example of the eccentric side. The Queen's hats were described on France Inter radio this morning as inverted saucepots. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, seemed to have perched a partridge's nest on her head, said another radio station.

The British Royal family, for all its centuries of refinement, does bling-bling much better than Sarko, especially with his new demure style, others noted. Reporting from Windsor, Libération had a go, describing the scene at the castle as "l'Angleterre eternelle et kitsch". Its flag-draped streets had a feel of Mickey Mouse, Libé added.

There will be general relief in government circles here late tonight when Mr and Mrs Sarko fly home after another protocol-packed dinner, with the Lord Mayor of the City of London. This was the trickiest foreign trip so far for the French president. So far, at least, it seems that he has not put a foot wrong.    

[Today's Figaro : Franco-British Honeymoon]



Comments

[Jeff Taylor]

All in all I think Sarko has done pretty well amidst all this medieval tosh that should have been flushed down the drain of history long ago.

[Hasan Afzal]

The French are comming to terms of the fact they have a decent leader who is liked by the international community and who'll manage to put France back on the international agenda. Let them complain ...

[Daisy]

As a lifelong admirer of Jackie Kennedy, I want to say: Mme Bruni is no Jackie Kennedy (and neither was her look-alike predecessor). Jackie was classy, cultivated, well-educated and dignified and I wish they would shut up with the comparisons. Mme Bruni looked like a tarted up flight attendant-cum-Stepford wife complete with fake smile on her arrival in the UK. It was only during his speech in Parliament that she showed real emotion: she looked bored stiff.

As for the flags at Windsor, if it was a little Mickey Mouse, perhaps the Royals were referencing Carla and Sarko's first public outing.

[Rolf-Peter]

The times of the ancient Rome have returned, when the promiscuous Cleopatra encharmed the decadent Romans.Though we in Germany once had a fivefold divorced Chanceller we are of sterner stuff.We can't take Sarko serious who produces much hot air all over the day,who doesn't fear to get ridiculous when he married a promiscuous "model".We know,the so-called ango-french affair will be over as soon as Sarko has to solve real problems or when he finds the idea of a franco-fidji entente more fascinating or when Bruni leaves him in favour of a Mongolian artist.

[Jonno]

Jeff, It is unfair for you to call the french political system as Medieval tosh - the British is no better...

[Rolf-Peter]

We look at the renewed anglo-frencfh entente rather relaxed. We know it will be over when Sarko will get the next of his many ideas he produces all over the day.We can't take him serious,nor do the French.Maybe the British are encharmed by this promiscuous Italian "model" as you were encharmed by an other promiscuous woman.The French and the German honest middle class are of sterner stuff.We wait for the next, the real French president who not only plays to be serious, but who isw serious.

[thinknoworpaylater]

* Down the drain of history long ago* JEFF - we tried, we tried! Cromwell achieved the first execution of a ruling monarch in the U.K. (and Europe) and established a republic. That was 1649 not 1789. By the way he may have been poisoned - thus leading to a new monarchy and the present *tosh*. Charles the second secretly signed a deal with the then King of France ( the Catholic connection) which was completely treacherous to the British state. However I agree Sarko has done his best in a framework not of his own making. His problem will not be rupture however but the darkening clouds on the global front including the over-valued euro. Exports will be difficult unemployment will rise and its not really his fault. I do not expect him to last beyond one term as I have said before. These speeches and foreign visits are froth - well intended - on verra.

[Marc]

Yes, all of this self engrandisement is fine for Sarko, but when is he going to do something for France? Silly question, I know, but that is what he promised, and what he was elected, to do.

[kate monson davies]

Come come Jeff , it wasn't "tosh" but pomp and tradition and the president loved it as we could see from his Colgate smile and barely contained arm waving. I was left a little bemused by Carla being called simply Mme Sarkozy by the Queen, I had understood we were now to include "Bruni"....

[The 3rd Column]

Charles,

You should mention that Pres Sarkozy is half Hungarian while the Duke of Edinburgh is Danish-German-Greek.

Now where will the Entente Cordiale be without all these foreigners, eh?

[Jeff Taylor]

All this is important state business of course, so you lot are paying for it. Jolly decent of you, I hope it makes you feel proud to be British.

And what, pray, was that thing perching on Camilla's noble bonse? Was it something Big Phil bagged on a hunting trip? I have always wondered if there is a special corner in English ladies' vegetable plots where they grow things to wear on their head.

[sigi coler]

First Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had the game, then she got a the name, now she wants RESPECTIBILITY.

[Blendi Progri]

All in all a great visit.
Carla looked magnificent- I have to admit. The girl has poise and looks like she`s grounded. Contrary to Nicky.

The man is Magnificent too. Speaking at the H of C . he mainly has two tricks. Looking like a boxer ducking and diving ready to deliver an uppercut or raising to hands in the air, wagging both fingers on each hand and flapping them about- more or less like a conductor. Couldn’t suppress his smile, perpetually amused, a little awkward and embarrassed too.

While he was speaking I couldn’t help but feel that at any moment he would stop and leave, go, tell a friend ‘lets go and play football’ or tell Carla ‘ Oh, lets go and watch a movie’. With him, one always gets the impression that Sarko wants to be everywhere but ‘here’. Maybe it is his constant maniacal moves or his fidgeting or both.
But that is Sarko for you.

On contrast Carla was a model of restrain and dignity, even if a little dazzled ( it happens to most, meeting the Queen) but she seemed to humanise Sarko a bit, who- truth be told- at Carla`s arm, looks more or less like Shrek lite.

Her Grey ‘uniform’ [described by CB –as a ’60 stewardess] to me looked like was cut from a winter-blanket ( standard-military-issue) but other than that- she look well, up to the point of making others look more human, Duke of E. included.
At the Parliament she was in behind her husband ( diagonally to his right) totally ‘un-protected’ with nothing to do but face ( mainly) a room full of men, mostly looking at her ( as did the TV cameras) and carried herself very well.

The position for her was a bit strange, as IMO, no one should sit after the ‘lecturer’, (even his wife) [the wife could be good looking or ugly- still proves a distraction] and she could sit in the audience and then join her husband after he finishes.

The speech was passionate and went down well, in part, or full was repeated by TV stations over and over, it was full of praise and thanks, it flattered and asked for more than friendship. It remains to be seen if & when the real life facts and interests will contradict it and how soon.

In general was a good visit and for a 1-st timer like Sarko, it wasn’t bad.
Someone has to ‘sedate’ the man and teach him the art of standing & sitting& talking without moving like in a football field, other than that the guy is ok and has the makings of a great statesman of the future, god willing.
------------------------------------.

One point about the Libération, I don’t know where/ what streets of Windsor they saw, but my opinion is different from theirs, there was no kitsch at all. No Mickey Mousey- just bad reporting from them.

I was invited to a party – not it wasn’t at the Castle, LOL, (to a cousin of mine who just bought a house in Windsor) then around 7.30 -8 PM just before I drove to London, made a small detour near the castle.
The tableau was like this:
2 Policemen in horses at the front gates of the castle, two at the bottom of the road.

Typically British as in most countries I know and been too, for visits of this kind, won’t think twice in erecting a No-Go zone in a 10 miles radius, post 3500 policemen with different colour uniforms [blue-grey-green etc] checks, road blocks, etc..etc
On both sides of Windsor ‘Boulevard’ (no more than 2-300 meters from the Castle to the river) were French and British flags (5-6 m) tied at lamp posts vertically.
Not more than 20-300 flags.

I don’t know where the Liberation saw the ‘Streets’ full of flags, I saw just ONE Street- with flags. The main one.

And at the time I was there it was typically Windsor, sleepy and half-deserted- as it usually is in cold night time.

During day-time, also is typically Windsor a small touristy town with buses of tourists, visitors, small kiosks and street sellers- satisfying their hunger for ‘British policemen helmets and red buses’ - this maybe confused the paper- but if they go there any other day they will see that Windsor isn’t Windsor because Sarko made a visit.

Saying the town had ‘ flag-draped streets ‘ seems inaccurate and irresponsible to me, as it suggest a kind of impressionability and servility, generally not associated with these aisles, and if I may ad, it takes more than 1 Nicolas to ‘drape’ ‘STREETS’- .
Liberation, UK does pomp, but no kitsch. And it was just one ROAD.
---------------------------------

Anyhow, the best thing about it all is that it is 36 hours in total. I suspect that if it was longer- LOL, the guy would get bored and leave, on his own, hijack a ride and back to Paris in a hurry.

If their marriage lasts, Carla has the makings of great 1-st lady- Think & hope& wish.

p.s at times Sarko looked like Queen Betti`s errand son.

[azloon]

carlita is a fraud.

sarko is the puerile 'fraud consort.'

how cute !

[The 3rd Column]

Agree with Jonno who says: "Jeff, It is unfair for you to call the french political system as Medieval tosh - the British is no better..."

'Medieval tosh' France seems to be outgunning and outclassing Britain.

Britain may be world's 7th most stable and prosperous nation outranking France, Switzerland and the United States (even as UK slips behind France on economy according to the Financial Times), but France tops 2008 List of World's Best Quality of Life Locations index of 192 countries surveyed, beating Switzerland and the US which ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively with the UK landing a poor 37th place and sharing the slot with Mexico, Monaco, Brazil, Croatia, Slovakia and Estonia.

Check it out here: http://www.il-ireland.com/il/qofl2008/

[Blendi]

I meant to say 20-30 flags (10-15 on each side of the street)(not 300)

...and as for the photo, while I`m here- the auction house is well aware that not many people will buy naked model photos from year '93 ( there are so many photos like that- as thats what models do) but is selling it ( and it will sell ) only cos Carla is the president's wife.

But they wouldn't say say.
So, better go for the 'arty' angle.

[Leopold]

CB "So far, at least, it seems that he has not put a foot wrong."

Probably because he put it in his mouth.

[philip]

Hmmmmm, French being nice. what they after this time, all gaulic niceness un-nerves me, Sorry we cant help this time!! bugger off back over the water.

[ROBERT]

Most of the letters on this page were trivial in the extreme.Some remenicent of a lower sixth left wing history debate,pathetic.

[Dominique]

Sarko told the french what they wanted to ear and got elected.

Then, he told americans what they wanted to ear,

Then, he told Kaddafi what he wanted to ear,

Then, he told the chineese what they wanted to ear,

Now he tells the british what they want to ear,

who's next?

----joke---joke---joke---joke-------joke---joke---joke---joke---
By the way, Bimbo Carla is no classy Jackie! Jackie had french origins while Carla is italian... ;=))

[dot king]

to sum it up:
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, so we are told, purposely wore an outfit to contrast with her man-eater image and to evoke Jackie Kennedy.
Wasn't the effect supposed to be subliminal? To win us over?
Those of us who weren't duped by this clever ruse, were told of it in the papers. So everyone knows it was a trick. Am I missing something here, or have I got it in one, or rather two?
So now that she's married President Sarkozy she can't be herself? So one of the (said-to-be) most stylish women in the world now can't be trusted to choose her own clothes? Her own dress-sense must be overlooked in favour of dead wives of dead presidents?

The British public took her to their hearts - that's what happened with Princess Diana as well as Jackie Kennedy. JFK might have enjoyed his wife taking all the adulation, Prince Charles, so we were told at the time, didn't care for being upstaged.
President Sarkozy, seems to regard his wives as "prizes" which add to the esteem he needs to be held in. Will he appreciate in the long-run, being upstaged by a wife who is definitely not what she appeared as (boarding-schoolgirl in uniform, ditto air-hostess, whichever fantasy one cares to attach to that totally panache-free ensemble) to the British public?

[Daniel Strohl]

Daisy,

In my opinion, Mrs. Sarkozy's "pillbox hat" (Charles .) is much more elegant than the Zuckerbäcker style hat worn by Mrs. Kennedy in Dallas.

Furthermore, it is more glamourous for a young and charming lady to marry a middle-aged French head of state rather than an elderly and dubious shipowner.

Rolf-Peter,

"when the promiscuous Cleopatra encharmed the decadent Romans"

One may infer from your statement that you are putting our British friends on the same level as the decadent Romans. The Brits will no doubt be very pleased - LOL!

"We look at the renewed anglo-frencfh entente rather relaxed. We know it will be over when Sarko will get the next of his many ideas"

If you are so firmly convinced of this, why do you spend your valuable time explaining the obvious to The Times readers?

[Hughes]

I am glad this state visit of friendly rapprochement has gone down so well. I am used to spending my whole summer in Britain and love the country and its people (except the yobs!). I have met a lot of Brits having settled or wanting to settle in France. We have a lot to learn from each other.It's a pity so many French people seem to prefer the deviousness and hypocrisy of a Mitterand who kept cheating on his wife and brought up his adulterous daughter at taxpayers' expense, and rail at Sarkosy for being straightforward.

[Isabelle A]

I agree with Dominique' comment, Sarkozy always says what his audience wants to hear, he is the king of demagogy! The guy believes in nothing. His ego is inversly proportional to his height...and pllllease! how can anyone compare Carla Bruni to Jackie Kennedy...in his dreams!

[Julien]

Spot on guys!
Sarkozy is indeed the king of demagogy and it's always hilarious to hear him prasing other countries.
The guy knows that everybody like to be praised so that's what is doing all the time and it seems the English newspapers were really happy to be fooled.

[isobel]

Various people have said that Carla Bruni is no Jackie Kennedy. Maybe I'm too young - lol! , being a child when Kennedy was assassinated - but what was so great about Jackie Kennedy?

[azloon]

re Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

my father hired her just out of Vassar College as 'Inquiring Camera Girl' for the Washington (D.C.) Times-Herald (later sold to Washington Post).

He told me she was an incredibly hard-working, modest woman with great panache, and brains.

After she married then-senator Jack Kennedy, she left journalism (and a very right-wing newspaper) to be with him.

Later my Father asked her to come back temporarily to cover the coronation of QE II in Britain.

She wrote him a warm and polite note on Hyannis Port stationary saying she regretted very much having to decline the invitation, but felt Democrat Jack would be uncomfortable with her working again for such an avowedly Republican newspaper.

my father didn't know Carla Bruni (death can be kind) but i am certain if he had, he would have said "i knew Jackie Jennedy, senator, and Carla Bruni is no Jackie Kennedy."

[This is a slight variation on u.s. senator Lloyd Bentsen's comment to senator Dan Quayle (later u.s. VP) during nationally televised vice-presidential debate, in which Quayle compared himself to Jack Kennedy. ("I knew Jack Kennedy, senator. he was my friend, and you, sir, are no Jack Kennedy.") Bentsen's put-down became the most quoted (and re-played) of all that campaign's rhetoric.]

Fortunately for Bruni, redemption is available to each of us.

[John Murphy]

Most of the comments here are either ridiculous or just downright wrong. Carla Bruni is one of the most beautiful women in public life, she is cultivated, speaks several languages, has personal talent, elegance and good manners. Class in sum. Real class, not that hierarchical nonsense you go in for in the UK. She also has an enormous personal fortune. She doesn't need anything so takes what she fancies (and how)and is probably far more liberated than any of the "wimmin". The only criticism I have of her is that she has married a bloke who is all wind, somewhat unstable and a liar. I just hope that she can sort out her husband and save France from his egotistical imaginings.

[Simon]

Carla nude? Come on, this is not puritanical middle age! Sarkozy and Carla's visit has gone very well. Please remember Camilla's past before passing judgement on Carla. Our friends across the channel or at the end of the Euro Tunnel otherside if you like, should pause for an year atleast before jumping on Sarkozy. I liked Sarkozy the extrovert over wily Mitterand or devious Chirac or glum Brown. Coming back to Carla, the jealousy is showing because we expected her to be dumb, and are surprised that she is not. Wait for Obama or Hillary to arrive in Britain as President!!

[Jeremy James]

Re the comment hours ago about Cromwell - he introduced a Protectorate, not a republic.

What a lot sourpusses! Carla looked elegant, charming and amusing - at least the Duke of Edinburgh seemed to think so. Must have been a blessed relief after that vulgar little arriviste - what was her name, Prune, Apple, Loganberry?

[volov]

Students of French history may detect similarities between Sako and Napoleon III, another short, barely-French mounteback with a tall, graceful, foreign wife.

He, just like Sako, was a firm Anglophile and was a great favourite of Queen Victoria.

One only hopes Sako doesn't lead his country into a re-run of the Franco-Prussian War

[Carlos Norberto Mugrabi]

Sarkozy seems a president of these "Republiquetas" of Central America, or an Arab country pro-western. In the US he would a Yuppie.

[peter Mason]

Jeremy James:-

The Cromwellian State was forally entitled 'the commonwealth & free state' and virtually every source I've looked at describes it as 'a republic', probably because the monarchy was abolished at it's inception. Cromwell's title of 'Lord Protector' was one with a long history in England and the term 'Commonwealth' [or Commonweal] also had a long lineage.

3rd Column :-

France 24 is less enamoured of the survey you refer to pointing out that it seems more arbitrary than the UNESCO Human Development Index and that, as a result, north Korea is ranked higher than Kuwait or Indonesia!

[azloon]

["I think she has been an honour to our country, not simply because of the way she looks, but but (sic) beyond that everyone understands that this is a woman who has belief, sensitivity and humanity."]

--sarko, quoted by timesonline, to the gathered media in london after a french journalist innocently asked him if carlita had 'stolen the show' in england.

an HONOUR TO THE COUNTRY because of the way she LOOKS.

you've got to be frigging joking, sarko!! so, where does that put 'porny' paris hilton?

if ever more superficial praise has been uttered by a head of state, please, someone, tell me.

ok now blog -- a lesson in 'class' (and not the British variety)

listen up, now, little nicholas!!

when jack kennedy, sarko's hero and role model, visited Paris with jackie, he humorously remarked that he was rightly viewed as the man who accompanied jackie to France.

but, then again, he WAS taller than his wife.

[Lily]

"an HONOUR TO THE COUNTRY because of the way she LOOKS."
(Azloon paraphrasing Sarko about Carla)

"not simply because of the way she looks"
(Sarko about Carla)

"Not simply" stated that there was MORE, MUCH MORE to Carla than her looks. :):"BELIEF, SENSITIVITY and HUMANITY."

Sarko was aware of Carla's visual impact. He couldn't properly assess the effect of Carla's conversation skills on their British interlocutors, though, hm hm.

[valerie LACORNE]

Constating ,like in France, that you have unfair critics.I would like to say that Mrs Sarkozy is herself. Why comparate to JKO or others.She doesn't try to be an other,and will certainly stonish in the futur.
Mr Sarkozy is a very anglo-saxon support,and full of us are proud of it.I wish sincerely that our two country works nearest in the futur;
Thanks a lot for your welcome.
And sorry for my approximative english.

[Martin]

The only collective swoon has been in the media, who, not having proper jobs to occupy their time, and having been bored into a coma by our government, are ever ready to leap on any event which offers even the slightest promise of "frisson".

[thinknoworpaylater]

Thank you, Peter Mason, for replying for me.
Brian Manning, in "1649 The crisis of the English Revolution" page 13, says "On 30 November 1648 the New Model Army began its march on London. On 2 December it occupied Westminster and Whitehall and on 6 December a detachment commanded by Colonel Pride excuded from their seats in Parliament those members who had voted for continuing negotiations for a settlement with Charles I. There followed the trial and execution of the King, the abolition of the monarchy and the House of Lords, and the establishment of the English Republic".

The Protectorate was not designated until the 12 December 1653, some four years later. However, whatever we call it, the English Revolution was motivated by democratic impulses, and the execution of the King and the abolition of the House of Lords are symptomatic. These actions took place 140 years before the French Revolution but unfortunately the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 brought back all the mediaeval "tosh" and ceremony, though it's starting to look pretty empty and vacuous these days.

However, my other point about Sarkozy and his problems remains the same: trouble ahead.

[Simon Marshland]

I don't care a jot where Madame Sarkozy came from or what her past may have been. She brightened my day.

[dot king]

On the late news broadcast last night, I saw a British journalist ask an unheard question of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy; she replied "I will try" and boarded a Thames flyboat (luxury version). The next shot was of Sarkozy and his wife snogging on the bench at the stern of the boat.

They might be newly married, they might be deeply in love, but does the presidential couple now snog to order?

"an honour to our country, not simply because of the way she looks, but but (sic) beyond that everyone understands that this is a woman who has belief, sensitivity and humanity."]"

I'm with Azloon on this one. This DOES suggest that Carla honours France by looking as she does, even if he then speaks for "everyone" saying that she has "belief" (in what?), "sensitivity" (to what?), and "humanity" (huh?).
Now, only he can know about these things, or peoplevery close to her. Why oh why, does he need to mention her in official speeches at all, even if she has been well-received and adored by the press?
Why? He is showing off his prize, she's there to make him look good. If he loves her, he shouldn't use her.

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

Jackie Kennedy robbed Onassis blind. Don't, please, compare the lovely Carla to her. Admittedly she did it for her kids, but she never lost a franc in her life. La Bouvier Bourgoise. She sold on her expensive dresses and put the money in the childrens accounts. Ari said: "I can't understand it. All I ever see her wearing is a pair of blue jeans." However the Greek was no fool. In his will he left her his yacht, and he knew that she had just enough of an income to cover the outlay for keeping it afloat and staffed. Touche Madame Kennedy.

[azloon]

["an HONOUR TO THE COUNTRY because of the way she LOOKS."
(Azloon paraphrasing Sarko about Carla)]

the fact that NS even allows the thought enter his mind, no less expressing it, that her looks somehow 'honor france' says a lot about him, and perhaps french superficiality in regard to female physical appearance. it would be different if he were an executive in the world of haute couture and speaking about his line-up of runway models. but he isn't and he isn't.

and just what evidence do we have that she has 'belief, sensitivity and humanity?' has she done, or said someting recently, not reported, to suggest this? or is this just sarko repeating 'pillow talk?'

Peter K -- the onassis saga was not jackie's finest hour. but she redeemed herself as a talented editor at Doubleday publishing house. Carla, remember that word: redeemed.

Did carlita ever attend university, or subject herself to any formal post-secondary education? or was she too busy trying to get those 15-year-old tits out in front of a camera?

[dot king]

"but unfortunately the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 brought back all the mediaeval "tosh" and ceremony" (thinknoworpaylater)

Anything that allowed for the creation of the Restoration Comedies cannot be dismissed as "tosh".

[John Gregory Flinn]

Much of Britain has its back to the continent looking west, and has only a vague understanding of what happens in Europe.
So, when Sarkozy arrived with his entourage and sarkophancy the adage about 'greeks bearing gifts' should have come to mind. (Sincerely, no offence to those of Greek origin.)

We on this blog, and this side of 'la manche' have some experience of Nicolas and his ways. CB's opinion piece should be required reading for those Brits of a gullible persuasion.

However, his overtures for Britain to engage with the EU may be sincerely meant. He knows the USA wants the same, and thinks it will strengthen French hegemony in the EU.
Because he believes that he has saved the EU from the earlier French 'non', he probably expects Brussels to accept such 'leadership' with Britain tagging along, especially during his presidency in July.

Perhaps we can expect some grand plans from him then.

[Michel B]

" Students of french history may detect similarities between sarko and Napoléon III " said Volov.

Napoléon III was quite eratic in his Foreign policy just as sarko.There si no future for a so-called alliance betwenn France and GB .It's just bullshit ! Go back to the basic French and German entente which is the base for a free and independant Europe.

[Georgette Bozovich]

Jacqueline Onassis was greatly over rated. She was nothing but a gold digger. The little girl's voice, the aura of mystery about her, how clever!

[thinknoworpaylater]

Thanks DOT K. for the reminder about Restoration Comedies. But "tosh" came up in the 1st blog on this topic and clearly refers to the mummery of royal ceremonies. the royal family's influence is real but its power is negligible - next you'll be telling me the Queen writes the Queen's Speech which she read at the opening of parliament. Thos great comedies (for example The Way of the World)sharply satirise the behaviour of the times: I am not rejecting literature, which has a life of its own, but the empty signifiers of contemporary Royalism as deployed around Sarkozy and Carla. Still, thenk you for the reminder.

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

Poor little Carla, sur les pas de Diana and up there on the pedestal with the madding crowd striving to tumble her down to their level. If they can drive the Sarkozys apart, they will. Perhaps she was given advice by Mrs. Brown and by Camilla : "stay away from it all, because they are out to get you."
Mark Twain said: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great."

[Lily]

DOES SARKO HAVE REASON TO BE PROUD OF HIS NEW WIFE ? – when being asked by a journalist whether she has stolen him the show….:

))btw: I’m a little tired of discussing Carla…((

Here : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3635953.ece - you will find this :

[Let me interrupt here Lily, to say (to French residents at least) that we have just discussed Carla at length on the "Cafe lAddition" show which goes out on Canal+ television at lunchtime tomorrow. CB]

“Mrs Sarkozy fed a national curiosity by speaking publicly for the first time during the visit to an audience that included the singer Annie Lennox, the television presenter Davina McCall, Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, and Anji Hunter, Tony Blair’s former adviser.
The event, at Lancaster House in support of the White Ribbon Alliance charity, was hosted by Mrs Brown to draw attention to mothers who needlessly die in childbirth.
In an assured performance, Mrs Sarkozy said that those gathered were “the hope” of hundreds of thousands of mothers worldwide.
Speaking in English, Mrs Sarkozy said: “I know that my husband and the Prime Minister are today agreeing to work together to increase the numbers of health workers in Africa. One important step and one of the great tragedies of our time takes place in the shadows, particularly in developing countries, when the most intense and wonderful moment of their lives – labour – might result in tragedy.
“Every one of these tragedies plunges people into despair. You, in the face of all this, you are the hope.”
Members of the audience said that Mrs Sarkozy spoke with more of a French accent than an Italian one but was easily understood, if a little shy. She did not look up from her notes while making the short address.
She appeared fluent when meeting individuals after her speech, they said. “

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Some more background from (com)passionate Italian-born correspondent, Sarah Vine:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3633760.ece

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"Did carlita ever attend university, or subject herself to any formal post-secondary education?" (Azloon)

Carla begun studies of Arts and Architecture in Paris after her Bac (Matura?) at a Swiss Boarding School. She interrupted/ended her studies at age 19. As a model she earned up to $7.5 million/year.

She chose to earn a lot of money the ‘easy’ way. She’s the model-turned singer-songwriter-turned First Lady. She demonstrates cleverness at Sarko’s side by her mere presence, yes!

She has had an agitated past, and she appears to get bored easily. The “job” of “Première Dame” could get boring as well as her marriage, or else, they may allow her to show that she has grown up.

It is too early to be too optimistic – or pessimistic. Only time will tell.

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From aforementioned article:

“Recognising the curiosity around the room for Mrs Sarkozy and her recent wedding, Mrs Brown said: “I think we can expect great things of Nicolas, with you at his side.”

Even if the idea is outdated, wives do have an impact on their spouse’s career… - as much as husbands affect their wife’s professional development, being more or less encouraging, supportive, sacrificing etc. –

So, please allow Sarko to be proud of his Carla. She isn’t irrelevant to France’s well-being.

If I remember well, Carla didn’t have an idea of where she was going to be today and what role she was going to be in. She supported Ségolène Royal, didn’t she? Cecilia didn’t go voting for her husband to be President. Was Carla on the ‘listes électorales’ last year? I think not. Had she been entitled to vote, she would have chosen Royal :) -

Tiens, life is full of surprise!! – There is no way to predict anything, especially when the name Sarkozy is involved.

[rocket]

Azloon

You have to remember in France it's not substance that counts but rather see and be seen.

C'est cela la différence entre "l'être" et le "paraître"

translation

That's the difference between "being" and "seeming"

Unfortunately the British press fell for it hook line and sinker.

Now let's move on.

She now has a forum to help the underprivileged, famine, and other worthy causes. Let's hope she rises to the occasion and uses this accrued capital she has gained and gives up her "singing" career and engages in real causes.

Next stop USA for the real validation!