French presidential frontrunner calls Sarkozy a "nasty guy"

Jan 4, 2012, 14:49 GMT

Paris - The French government rounded on the country's presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande on Wednesday, following reports that he called President Nicolas Sarkozy 'a nasty guy.'

Le Parisien newspaper quoted Hollande, the presidential candidate of the opposition Socialist Party, as making the remark during a lunch with a group of reporters.

AFP news agency, which also had a reporter at the lunch, said Hollande was imitating Sarkozy and imagining his pitch for reelection.

'I'm the president of failure, I'm a nasty guy but in this difficult period I'm the only one capable, I have the courage,' he imagined Sarkozy as saying.

Senior government members rushed to condemn the remarks.

Government spokeswoman Valerie Pecresse said if Hollande had made the remarks he should 'explain himself and withdraw them.'

Industry Minister Eric Besson said the remarks were a 'sign of weakness' on the part of the Socialist parliamentarian.

Hollande's supporters accused the ruling Union for a Popular Movement of manipulating the comments.

They were also quick to remind Sarkozy of his own past lapses, including his remark to a man who refused to shake his hand at the Paris farm fair shortly after his election in 2007.

'Get lost, you stupid bastard,' a spurned Sarkozy shot back.