Sarkozy Rocks Rules of Discretion
27785
Health & Fitness > Stress
Jun 18, 2007
Tribune2
Sarkozy Rocks Rules of Discretion
French president elect Nicolas Sarkozy rocked more than his yacht when he visited sun bathed Malta recently, shocking his countrymen in an opulent display of luxury and disregarding the unwritten rules that one should not flaunt wealth and stature. Sarkozy and his family employed the use of a private jet and flew to Malta's International airport for an evidently much-needed vacation after Sarkozy's long and turbulent election battle. Once there, the president elect, his wife and son, and a handful of staff boarded the yacht of a friend that, according to newspaper accounts, cost almost $300,000 a week to rent. Apparently, his vacation has ruffled more than a few feathers in his native France, who found the actions of the politician beyond reproachful and just a bit on the gauche side. Oddly enough, such criticism has come from political opponents and not from voters themselves. Sarkozy and company boarded the yacht, christened La Paloma, at Malta's marina near Valletta, and then headed for the southern coast of one of the world's favorite, and famous, tourist spots. Mooring in Delimara, curious Maltese residents watched the yacht, wondering about such a surprise visit and whether some political machinations were underway. The next president of France enjoyed the company of his wife and son as they toured the island of Malta for a day during their brief weekend jaunt, just a scant week before he was to take office from outgoing French president Jacques Chirac, who held office for a little more than a decade. Public grumbling over the display of wealth and leisure rubbed many Frenchmen and women the wrong way, who have been having difficulties making ends meet. Such a questionable decision on the part of their new president leads many to wonder if he can have their best interests at heart. Many political experts have stated that his decision to vacation so openly surrounded by symbols of wealth will make it difficult for people to believe that he can cut public debt in his country. The 52 year old was followed during his jog around the island and while he and his family enjoyed sun-soaked beaches and sea breezes, both on and off the borrowed yacht. Shrugging off criticism, Sarkozy and family enjoyed the rich history and ambience of the island retreat and kept a fairly low profile during his visit. Long-range cameras caught photos of him on the yacht, enjoying the sea, laughing and looking calm and relaxed in jeans as he enjoyed the fresh air and scenic beauty of the cliff overlooking the sea at Santa Marija Bay. Shortly thereafter, Sarkozy's yacht weighed anchor and reportedly sailed off for quick visits to Syracuse and Sicily, though he returned back to Malta, boarded the same plane that brought him unexpectedly to the island in the first place, and disappeared into azure blue skies, leaving as abruptly as he had arrived.
If you want to visit Malta like the President of France, a travel guide at YourMalta.com offers holiday in Malta reviews and includes the Malta weather and deals for Malta flights.
send email to Tribune2
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Locals have seen the island of Majorca being developed over the last thirty years. But new building proposals are a step too far for them, and they have been protesting on the streets.
Category:
A summer of cloudy skies, rain and in some areas of England floods has helped Spain and her holiday islands to a good year for tourist arrivals. The Balearic islands of Majorca and Menorca benefitted particularly well.
Category:
Sunshine, the Mediterranean and a relaxed way of life is tempting more and more Brits to both holiday and live on Spanish islands like Majorca and Menorca.
Category:
Benjamin Franklin famously said there are two things certain in life. Death and taxes. But the little country of Andorra seems intent on proving him wrong...
Category:
Menorca is often overshadowed by her sister islands of Majorca and Ibiza. So the news of new flights to the island is welcome for the year ahead.
Category:
While their island has grown prosperous through visitors, some locals on the island of Majorca are unable to buy their own home, and frictions can occur.
Category:
Europe's longest running television soap opera, Coronation Street, has aired episodes fimed on the holiday island of Malta. Holiday and hotel enquiries have risen for the 2008 season.
Category:
Just 24 hours after winning the Presidency of France, Nicolas Sarkozy headed for a holiday in Malta.
Category:
For the first time in a decade property prices in Andorra looked like they might not rise in 2007. But spring buyers have revised predictions of stagnant growth to double digit property inflation - again.
Category:
The popular island of Malta has seen her property prices rise again in 2007. Joining the Euro could see further rises in 2008.
Category:
Increased taxes in the UK has seen the number of Britons moving to Monaco increase significantly in the last two years. The new arrivals have had an impact on the property market, with sharp price rises in recent months.
Category:
This year's Tour de France ended in scandal. But the future could be a better one for the world's best known cycling event.
Category:
Europeans might be more cosmopolitan in their choice of overseas holidays nowadays, but some of the old favourites seem to have been drawing the tourists again this year...
Category:
Andorra has opened a new snow park designed for families, improving the country's facilities for holiday visitors with children.
Category:
Monte Carlo might be known for her rally, but its smallness in size has allowed Prince Albert to implement a radical environment policy. The first results are showing good acceptance levels and encouraging results as people swap their car for a bus...
Category:
A late rush for holidays this summer meant that traditional low cost flight companies were able to raise their prices from the UK to the European mainland, including the holiday hotspots of Majorca and Menorca.
Category:
News of another airline deciding to fly to Malta has put pressure on low cost airlines to cut their airfares even more to attract holiday makers - and boosting Malta's holidays and hotels further.
Category:
Spain has found new competition from the former Eastern Bloc countries, appealing to Europeans who like their lower prices. But Spain has updated her image, and this year has been successful for them.
Category:
Owners of second homes in Spain are facing a squeeze on several fronts. Higher mortgage payments on their first and second homes, and some might not be able to get rental income at all.
Category:
Malta is increasingly becoming a natural port of call for Mediterranean cruises - and a record number of passengers have visited the island in 2007.
Category:
Other links at Health & Fitness > Stress
Even though there has been a long-standing reputation of difficultly to apply for US citizenship, there are some voices who say it's never been easier to accomplish.
Category:
More money for Iraq in addition to what has already been spent. 3 billion a week and counting.
Category:
Hillary Clinton is running for president. No suprise, but what do we really know about her and her views?
Category:
The ICE, has become the largest investigative unit of the US Department of Homeland Security, or DHS.
Category:
This is a fictional work of mine on what I think the United States will look like after the first twenty years that the Fair Tax Plan has become law.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68228
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
