French President Sarkozy Marries Ex-Model

Carla Bruni went from being a model to being a pop-singer and now to being the new French first lady.

First seen together around mid-December at Disneyland after Sarkozy's divorce from former wife Cécilia Sarkozy, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni were married over the weekend in a short ceremony at the Élysée Palace.


For more on the couple and their recent marriage:
Le Figaro: Carla et Nicolas : mariés !
NY Times: French Leader and Ex-Model Wed in Quiet Ceremony

Bernard Kouchner: Foreign Minister of France

The Times recently did an article on Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister. If you'd like to learn a little bit more about the man who created the Médicins Sans Frontières program 37 years ago, has written more than a few books, is often thought of as the most popular politician in France and who has even thought of running for the presidency; then take a look at the Times story and other links below.

Read up on Bernard Kouchner:
NY Times: A Statesman Without Borders
Slideshow on Kouchner's career
More on Kouchner in the news

NY Times: No Sex, Please, We're French

Nephi Henry sent us this great op-ed piece from the New York Times by Stephen Clarke that appeared last Friday.

It's really interesting when you compare France's past presidential candidates (usually older and balding) with its current candidates (younger and decidedly better looking) like Nicolas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal (pictured).

With this race's two heavy-weight candidates being much easier on the eyes than their predecessors it is no surprise that sexual conduct has become a topic of political consideration.

Read the whole NY Times op-ed piece here.

Presidential Elections in France

The French presidential elections are under way, and the 12 candidates have their respective campaigns under way. Front runners Nicolas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal are joined by the controversially uber-conservative Jean-Marie Le Pen in the race to be the next Président de la République.


For more info on the elections and the candidates check out these links:

• Les Affiches de campagne
• Le Monde: Présidentielle 2007
• Election-Politique.com