Sarkozy visits Spain after ‘Zapatero remarks’ controversy

FRANCE 24 ^ | April 27, 2009 | staff

[Cincinna]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero on Monday on a state visit to Madrid that was to include some political sweet-talk after Sarkozy allegedly described Zapatero as “dim”.

Accompanied by his wife, Italian former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the French president first met with King Juan Carlos for a visit full of pageantry. On Tuesday, he’ll join Zapatero for talks on combating both the economic crisis and the Basque separatist group ETA.

Sarkozy said on Monday evening that relations between the two countries have never been “as strong as they are now”, and stressed that France and Spain “speak with the same voice against terrorism”.

Two weeks ago, Sarkozy triggered media furor around the world after reports emerged that he had disparaged fellow world leaders, including Zapatero, during a meeting with French members of parliament. His comments were subsequently denied by his office at Elysée Palace.

“Perhaps he’s not very smart, but I know people who were very clever and who didn’t make the second round of the presidential election,” Sarkozy was quoted as saying of Zapatero, in a reference to French Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin, who failed to reach the second round of the 2002 French presidential election.

Sarkozy attempted some damage control when he took pains to praise Zapatero as “a man of talent, a man of conviction, one of Europe’s greatest” during an interview with Spain’s El Pais news daily on Sunday.

"snip" Spanish media meanwhile have been gearing up for a style war between Princess Letizia, the wife of Crown Prince Felipe, and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who both regularly appear on lists of the world's best-dressed women.

[Paul Heinzman]

Who would have guessed that in 2009 the only president of a democratic country with any balls would be France? Tough on terrorism, tough on piracy. I’d take him as our president over Bam-bam any day.

[Cincinna]

*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***

The new Fashion Battle Royal is joined: CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY, wife of French President Sarkozy, a former top-model , and LETIZIA, wife of heir apparant to the throne of Spain, Prince Felipe, and former TV news presenter.

Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Spain today to talk politics and security. The objective however, has been entirely overshadowed by a media frenzy questioning who will be the belle of the ball - Spain's Princess Letizia Ortiz or France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy?

Letizia Ortiz is wife of Felipe de Bourbon, heir to the Spanish throne. A former journalist and news presenter who covered the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war for Spanish channel TVE, the princess is adored in Spain and considered intelligent, brave and furthermore, attractive. Such a resume makes Letizia Ortiz something of rare rival to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, herself a top model-turned-singer.

The Spanish press just cannot wait to see the pair meet this Monday evening at the royal palace. Which designer, what kind of make-up? Hat or no hat? We can't wait to find out.

LETIZIA OR CARLA?

OK GUYS, POST AWAY

[Cincinna]

I couldn’t agree more. As of now, the leaders of the Free World are Sarko and Bibi.

[dfwgator]

LETIZIA OR CARLA?

Yes!

[Winstons Julia]

They are both beautiful.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Well Letizia has the look of the more attractive members of traditional nobility and royalty, Carla not so much.

[Cincinna]

Letitia is far from nobility. She is a former model and TV presenter who comes from a regular bourgeous Spanish family.

Carla comes from the lesser Italian nobility, the family Bruni-Tedeschi. Very, very rich and old family. Carla received an excellent education, and speaks five languages.

[Cincinna]

WHERE ARE ALL THE PICTURES?

[Cincinna]

FELIPE & LETIZIA WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS

[La Lydia]

Both of them always have the most lovely clothes. I read Hola! en espanol magazine and Letizia always looks perfect. Here's a couple of pictures of tonight's meeting. The headline says Carla and Letizia eclipse the King.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iLDbN9f_FUpwY8jjOny7_YX7cxog

http://www.que.es/gente/famosos/200904271943-carla-bruni-princesa-letizia-eclipsan.html

[Cincinna]

Thanks to Hi Lydia for the pictures. I love HOLA!

[Cincinna]

PRESIDENT SARKOZY & WIFE CARLA ARRIVE AT MADRID AIRPORT FOR 2 DAY VISIT

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

That is a particularly attractive picture of Carla.

I sure was wrong in my previous post. Shows you what I know about European nobility. Guess I can blame it on the fact that none of my ancestry has any hereditary nobility (Irish, Finnish, German Jewish). Not referring to recently ennobled folks.

[La Lydia]

El Rey Don Juan Carlos parece cansado.

[Cincinna]

Spanish Royal Dinner for the State Visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni at the Royal Palace in Madrid

L-R QUEEN SOFIA, CARLA & NICOLAS SARKOZY, KING JUAN CARLOS, PRINCE & PRINCESS DES ASTURIES

[not2worry]

They are both beautiful women.

As a woman I'd ask which man would I rather be married to?

My answer would be Sarko. A man who puts his principles on the table and stand behind them. A Leader rather than a follower.

I'll choose a man like Sarko to be the role model for my children and for myself any day.

[SunkenCiv]

...on Monday on a state visit to Madrid that was to include some political sweet-talk after Sarkozy allegedly described Zapatero as "dim".

Seems about right. Thanks Cincinna.