The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy , has lived up to his tough-talking reputation in an extraordinary outburst against two photographers while on holiday in America. A furious Mr Sarkozy, sporting only his swimming trunks, leapt into a boat carrying the paparazzi and began shouting at them after he spotting them taking pictures of him. Unfortunately, the president's tirade - delivered in French - was entirely lost on the photographers, neither of whom could understand a word he was saying. And Mr Sarkozy was unaware they had been given permission by a local marine patrol to be at that spot on the lake.
Pin on Well-known people I have loved . . .and lost. . .
The racy photographs, including a shoot the model did for Playboy, appeared as the leader attempted to halt his slide in the polls by proving himself to be serious again. But the pictures of Miss Bruni, 39, will not help Mr Sarkozy's image which has been badly damaged by what many see as his playboy antics - and lack of focus on running the country. As Mr Sarkozy did nothing to quash rumours that he had already married Ms Bruni, a poll indicated yesterday that his ratings have turned negative for the first time. The French want a crisis president and not a partying president. Senior figures in Mr Sarkozy's own party are dismayed at the clash between the President's playboy conduct and the view held by 65 per cent of the public that he has failed so far to relieve France's economic gloom.
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy angry over naked picture publication
It's probably not the kind of first impression she wanted to give as the wife of a world leader. But then she IS married to a Frenchman. And at least Carla Bruni-Sarkozy can prove she has nothing to hide. France's new First Lady is heading for England - just as this naked picture of her goes on show.