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There were some who hadn't quite lost all respect for France's leader. Some even liked his gesticulative style and found hope in his semi-controversial propositions for a brighter future. Others simply reveled in his intricate play with tabloid press and his overly-publicised fallouts with former wife Cécilia Sarkozy. Televised appearances and overbearing publicity might have caused a mild SarkOverdose, but SarkoMania, nonetheless gripped the nation turning Sarkoskeptics to Sarkozystes.
And then, along came Carla.
Sarko, 53, married Carla Bruni, 40, barely two months after their affair was made public after - get this, it's the funny part - they let photographers take pictures of the couple enjoying a romantic getaway at - wait for it, wait for it - Disneyland. Seriously. Over Christmas, the pair traveled to Egypt and Jordan where numerous photos of Sarkozy, all Ralph Lauren and Ray-Banned up, walked hand in hand with his new (trophy?) girlfriend.
If her credentials as model-turned-folk-singer or her claim that she was easily "bored with monogamy" weren't enough, I might mention that Bruni's former lovers include, notably, Louis Bertignac, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Kevin Costner, Vincent Perez, Donald Trump and former French prime minister Laurent Fabius.
However, I am almost nostalgic of Sarko's days as interior minister when he held a firm stance regarding the "Banlieues" promising to clean them "au Kärcher" [with pressurised water gun]. Indeed, there was something admirable in this pseudo-provocative demagoguery, learnt of history's great popularity-seekers (think ruthless dictators, minus the means to implement a totalitarian regime).
As much as I disliked his political style, I must admit that of the candidates of the May 22nd elections, he was the most presidential. Unlike the unconvincing, badly-dressed socialist "Ségo" armed with as much charisma as a wet sock, and UDF candidate François Bayrou, whose "third man" status was compromised by his image as a tractor-owning personage, the UMP candidate offered the French a vision, a Future.
And yet, I cannot but harbour doubts at the Sarkocy. Indeed, despite whatever respect I do have for the President (I think there might be some left, on the shelf, gathering dust), I doubt he is doing France any favours by obliterating unsolved and perhaps unsolvable domestic issues (e.g. pensions) with court intrigue. Indeed, though the Sarkomedy may be vastly entertaining at home, it is doubtful whether all this Sarkogitation will help France's reputation or prestige. I do not mean to be Sarkoskeptical, but perhaps I am, just a little.
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