Nicolas Sarkozy becomes a grandfather

The Telegraph UK ^ | 13 Jan 2010 | Henry Samuel in Paris

[Cincinna]

President Nicolas Sarkozy became a grandfather yesterday after the wife of his second son, Jean, gave birth to a baby boy.

Ministers congratulated Mr Sarkozy, who will turn 55 this month, after a cabinet meeting.

"There was no applause but we all congratulated him," said Eric Woerth, the budget minister.

The prime minister had the opportunity on behalf of the government to congratulate the president who said that this birth gave him great joy," said a government spokesman.

"Yes, he had a grandson this morning," said a presidential aide, who added that he had been given a "very unusual" name.

According to a parliamentary source, his first name is Solal, the hero of the 1968 novel Belle du Seigneur, a tragic love story by Swiss-Jewish writer Albert Cohen.

Jean Sarkozy, 23, married Jessica Sebaoun-Darty, heiress to the Darty household appliances empire, in September 2008 and the couple announced last year that they were expecting their first child.

The young Mr Sarkozy, a law student, hit the headlines late last year after attempting to become head of the body that runs La Défense, a vast business district just west of Paris. Mr Sarkozy was castigated for nepotism and his ambitious dauphin nicknamed "Prince Jean".

Mr Sarkozy jnr., who is a local councillor in the Hauts-de-Seine department – his father's long-standing fiefdom – gave up running for the post.

Mr Sarkozy has two sons from his first marriage – Jean and Pierre. His youngest son, Louis, 12 is from a second marriage.

The French president is said to be trying for another child with his third wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, whom he married two years ago. The supermodel-turned-singer has a son, eight-year-old Aurelien, from a previous relationship.

[Cincinna]

Welcome to the world, Solal, and God bless.

[Talisker]

"There was no applause but we all congratulated him," said Eric Woerth, the budget minister.

Now doesn't that just sound like a budget minister? What a twit.

[Cincinna]

CARLA AND NICOLAS SARKOZY ~ JEAN AND JESSICA SARKOZY

The baby has been given the name "Solal", from the Hebrew, meaning he who leads or guides.

Pictures of the new baby with his family will be posted when released to the press.

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

[Irenic]

Welcome to the world, Solal, and God bless.
_______________________________________________________
hear, hear!

[M. Espinola]

A very fine name for the baby, and a great photo of the young ‘grandparents’!

[aimee5291]

‘Welcome to the world, Solal, and God bless. ‘

Oui !

[stephenjohnbanker]

New baby BUMP!

[padre35]

Good for Sarko and congrats on the birth of his grandchild.

Though MME Bruni is far to young to be a Grandmother.