Sarkozy's ex-wife wants to block book in which she vilifies him

Jan 10, 2008, 9:38 GMT

Paris - A Paris court will examine later Thursday a demand by the ex-wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy to stop publication of a book in which she is quoted as calling him a philanderer, stingy and unworthy of being president.

The book, titled simply Cecilia, was written by journalist Anna Biton, who reportedly has known the former first lady for years. It was scheduled to be published in the coming days by the prestigious publisher Flammarion.

But on Wednesday, after extracts of the book were published in French dailies, Cecilia Sarkozy issued a statement saying that she has charged her lawyers 'to initiate all necessary actions for the protection of her rights in regard to statements attributed to her in extracts from the book by Anna Biton.'

In the book, Sarkozy's ex-wife is quoted as saying, 'Nicolas is a philanderer' and 'Nicolas is stingy.'

She also describes him as 'a man who likes no-one, not even his children,' and goes on to say that he his not worthy of being president.

'There is a ridiculous side to him. He is not dignified. He does not make a real president of the Republic. He has a behavioural problem.'

She also had harsh words for Sarkozy's aides and advisors, describing them, according to the book, as 'young guys who found themselves puffed out with power and who took themselves for the princes of Paris.'

The book is one of three works about Cecilia Sarkozy scheduled to be published almost simultaneously, whose divorce from the president was announced on October 18.

According to media reports, Sarkozy will soon marry his girlfriend, the pop singer and former supermodel Carla Bruni.