THE SUNDAY TIMES: The discreet marriage of Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, the Italian model-singer, drew shrugs in much of France today but not in Neuilly, the opulent western Paris suburb where the President was mayor for 19 years.
In cold sunshine on the street market, Jean Sarkozy, the President's 21-year-old son, was congratulated by Sunday morning shoppers who wished their best for Sarko and his Italian third wife. Student Sarko, the second son from Mr Sarkozy's first marriage, was one of 20 present at the Saturday ceremony on the first floor of the Elysée Palace.
"I hope it will go better for my father now," Jean told The Times as he tasted olives from a market stall. "Things have been pretty difficult lately."
Mr Sarkozy was canvassing for David Martinon, 36, his father's spokesman, who is running for Mayor of Neully in council elections next month. The polls in all 36,000 French councils are the first electoral test of the presidency and Mr Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement fears that the "Carla effect" will add to their woes.
Jean Sarkozy's hopes for a turn in his father's fortunes are shared at the Elysée, which has felt the strain since November. That month, Mr Sarkozy, just divorced from Cécilia Ciganer, met Ms Bruni and threw himself into a very public courtship while his ratings plumetted. The UMP also hopes that the wedding will close a turbulent chapter and that France will soon forget a glitzy romance that tarnished the president's image. Sarko's son: I hope things will be better for dad now he's married >>> By Charles Bremner, of The Times, Paris
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