Newspaper sets off new Sarkozy divorce speculation

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

PARIS (AFP) — A spokesman for the French presidency refused to comment Friday on a newspaper report that Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia are shortly to announce a divorce.

Quoting "sources close to the Elysee," L'Est Republicain newspaper said on its Internet site that the couple's "separation and divorce" would be made public Friday.

"Things should move pretty quickly, with divorce papers filed rapidly at the courts in Nanterre (a suburb of Paris)," the newspaper said.

Asked by AFP about the report, Elysee Palace spokesman David Martinon said: "I have no comment to make on press rumours."

Cecilia, 49, has been barely seen at her husband's side since he took office in May, prompting speculation that their relationship -- which went through a...