Book puts Sarkozy in the spotlight

More than 100 members of Dubai's French community attended a reception in honour of a leading French political journalist.

The guests listened as Michael Darmon, senior correspondent of the domestic political news service at France 2, discussed his new book, Sarkostar.

The book details the career of Nicolas Sarkozy, former French finance minister and now the chairman of France's ruling Union for a Popular Movement party, who is widely seen as a possible future president.

Sarkostar looks set to become a bestseller in France, and has already sold about 10,000 copies since it was published in January.

Sarkostar is not just a chronicle of government life, Darmon said, but recounts actual events that occurred during Sarkozy's rise to power.

"I was given access to some privileged places and saw and heard a great number of things. I asked Mr Sarkozy to let me shadow him and for him to remain as natural as possible, which is what happened and what comes through in the book.

"I wanted to explain how the success-making machine that is behind him functions, because people are always suspicious of success, and it's a misconception that if you haven't struggled you don't deserve to succeed."

Compiled from anecdotes, and first-hand accounts behind the political scene as well as official conversations, Darmon said his book is not a mere public relations tool for Sarkozy.

"As a journalist, I have written this book with due detachment from the subject. I have maintained my critical perspective," he said.

"It's the fastest contract I've ever signed. In about three days, the editors had agreed to a book [about Sarkozy]," Darmon said of Sarkostar.

"This is French political history in the making ... Sarkozy is part of a new [political] generation. It is fascinating that someone from Jacques Chirac's party can also be his biggest rival," Darmon said.

Robert Jongeryck, the French consul-general in Dubai, attended the reception, as did representatives of the French Business Council and the Alliance Francaise.