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Dior, bling, bikinis – Nicolas Sarkozy picks his cabinet
Janine Di Giovanni27 Mar 2009
France's height-challenged president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has chosen yet another glamour girl to join his harem (sorry, cabinet). Christine Kelly, 39, a former television presenter who also happens to look great in a bikini, has been made Minister for Overseas Territories.
Given the recent civil unrest in the islands, including Kelly's native Guadeloupe, it seems odd to appoint someone with no experience in politics. Sarko has muttered something about Kelly being attractive as well as in touch with the modern world - whatever that means. My view is that he simply needs a bit of arm candy to replace former justice minister Rachida Dati, fired in January. Yet in France, politics and glamour go hand in hand.
Other beauties in Sarko's cabinet include human rights minister Rama Yade, whom a male friend of mine dined with recently. "I have never," he gasped, "seen a sexier woman!" Finance minister Christine Lagarde is no slouch in the elegance department either: I saw the 53-year-old at the opera recently and she is even more striking in person than in pictures.
That's before we start on Sarko's opponent Ségolène Royal, the Socialist presidential candidate he defeated two years ago: she was famously pictured in a bikini in 2006, enviably trim for 52.
And while some say Dati's penchant for bling was her downfall - posing in her beloved Dior in Paris Match, plus the rumours of her many lovers, including, it is said, Sarko before he married Carla Bruni - political insiders think the real straw that broke the camel's back was more unglamorous. That was her confrontation, in Arabic, at the Senate with Fadela Amara, a minor minister (sadly, not good-looking). "Why don't you shut your mouth?" Dati screamed to Amara. "Why don't you shut your arse?" Amara shot back.
It is a far cry from Gordon Brown's ministerial team: Europe minister Caroline Flint is striking but not in the same league as Dati or Yade. As for Harriet Harman: well, let's just say that a woman who boasted about never spending more than £50 on a handbag would be unlikely to go far in France. French women are just naturally more glamorous than Anglo-Saxons.
Still, I can't help but notice the spring wardrobe of Sarko's very beautiful and very tall wife, Carla Bruni: little Jackie O suits paired with flat shoes. In Sarko's orbit, women must not outshine him. And they had better not be taller, either.
Reader views (6)
I think Sarkozy should choose you, Janine – even if you are a bit on the tall side. But what job would best suit you? Foreign affairs is already run by one of your pals, but trade union affairs could do with a good sorting out. Failing that, you could always be Minister for Fashion. You would, of course, have to keep your mouth shut.
- Walter Ellis, New York, New York, 27/03/2009 13:54
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P.S Don't forget that Rashida and the others are NOT of French origin.
- Mariza, Europe/Med, 27/03/2009 13:34
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Janine has made a few good points but I, as of the European female gender don't agree on the others.
I have travelled nearly all over the world and find there are a few differences between the French and British women.
Firstly, I believe the British woman is a natural beauty and does not need to put the warpaint on or show off in designer gear. They dress simply, it suits them and they know it.
On the other hand, French women are generally NOT natural beauties and need to flaunt whatever prettiness they have, eg, a good figure, with blings and things!
Pls pls publish my message because I would like to show I fly the flag for the Brits and they deserve it!
- Mariza, Europe/Med, 27/03/2009 13:32
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You should have put a picture of Rachida and Rama in the article. Both smashing indeed.
- Terry. B, Toulouse, France, 27/03/2009 13:31
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Interesting article Janine and very funny too - spot on about you-know-who! Had a good chuckle and made my day in these depressing times! Thanks!
- Cathy, london, 27/03/2009 10:32
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In Sarko's orbit, women must not outshine him. And they had better not be taller, either.
A bit like Charles and Diana then
- Clarissa, Vienna, Austria, 27/03/2009 10:18
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