Nicolas Sarkozy, born in Paris in 1955, recounts an anecdote that illustrates his dynamic with Vladimir Putin. It was the summer of 2008 when Russian troops moved into Georgia. The French president sought to compel his Russian counterpart to withdraw the tanks and held an eight hour meeting to press the point. During the tense session, Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, a renowned singer and model, called. He explains that he never lets his wife wait, so he put the phone on speaker and paused the discussion. Bruni reportedly asked, who were you talking to? You were shouting, she teased. Sarkozy recalls that the exchange helped keep the dialogue going, and he credits the meeting with contributing to Putin pulling back from the occupied region. Copyright © EFE.
This episode was described on a Madrid stage this week during the presentation of Sarkozy’s memoirs, published by Alliance. At an event at the Ritz, the former president argued for negotiations with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. I am surprised that people discuss Putin without meeting him, Sarkozy noted. I had eighty meetings with him. How can a problem be solved without talking to the adversary? How can it be solved by projecting force on TV without real dialogue? By listening and engaging, he suggested, one can find leverage that prevents a wider conflict.
Sarkozy cited the presence of longtime ally Jose Maria Aznar, whom he calls a friend, even when their characters do not always align. He also mentioned Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the regional president, and the mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida. The former French president said Madrid ranks among his favorite cities in the world, describing it as Paris with less rain, a higher altitude, lighter traffic, and a mayor who shares a pragmatic approach with Almeida, whom Sarkozy contrasted with Anne Hidalgo.
On the subject of Israel and Hamas, Sarkozy argues that France should stand with Israel in defense against terrorism while remembering the Holocaust. He stresses that the roots of the tragedy lie in European history and not solely in the Middle East. His stance supports a two-state solution as essential for Israeli security, even as it recognizes the need for durable peace in the region.
Sarkozy questions the effectiveness of the United Nations, asking who the UN Secretary General is in a rhetorical turn. He proposes a revised Security Council with broader representation, arguing that the current structure no longer reflects the world, lacking significant regions or populous nations such as Africa, Latin America, and India.
Convicted and charged
Early October brought news that Sarkozy faced accusations of illegally financing his campaign with money from Libya, attempting to influence witnesses, and involvement in fraudulent schemes tied to an organized group. He had already faced a one year sentence for corruption in 2021. In his memoirs the former president contends that these legal challenges form part of a broader, unjust campaign aimed at discrediting him.
The memoirs, written in French and translated into Spanish, cover the final years of Sarkozy’s presidency from 2007 to 2012, a period marked by the 2008 global financial crisis. During a 2009 visit to Spain amid the euro zone crisis, he argued that the root cause of the systemic crisis lay in deregulated financial markets.
He imagines Spain as one of Europe’s great nations, yet admits a personal skepticism: he sometimes believed more strongly in Spain’s importance than some Spaniards did. His moments of cooperation against ETA stand out in the Franco-French relationship, recalling his earlier tenure as France’s interior minister when he asserted that France would not serve as a base for terrorists.
Sarkozy emphasizes that reaching the summit was possible, even though he did not belong to the established French elite. He defends the excitement of political struggle and the vitality of life, and he does not rule out returning to public life if asked by interviewers.
Obama and Carla Bruni
In the memoir, Sarkozy details many exchanges with world leaders. He characterizes Barack Obama as charismatic yet reserved, deeply attentive to his public image. He recounts a moment when Obama declined to issue a joint statement supporting a fair trial for Hosni Mubarak, expressing concern that it would inflame Egypt’s youth. Sarkozy sees this as a mistake, describing himself as a man guided by beliefs rather than appearances.
As the years of struggle unfolded, Sarkozy casts himself as distancing from the far right, labeling some populists as irresponsible. He argues for a strong, principled democratic center and a traditional two-party dynamic between left and right.
On the relationship with Carla Bruni, the couple’s rise to international stardom is noted, alongside Sarkozy’s own fast pace and Bruni’s steady, enduring influence. He reflects on a painful personal memory linked to his father’s mistakes, noting in an interview with a German newspaper that Bruni is pregnant, a revelation that adds a personal layer to the public narrative.