Carla sparkles in diamonds but Sarkozys' lavish state visit to Mexico sparks outrage in recession-hit France
on 10th March 2009
French First Lady Carla Bruni showed off her diamonds at a state dinner in Mexico City last night.
Her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, was holding talks with his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon on the world recession.
The Sarkozys have caused outrage across recession-crippled France by spending the weekend in a £3,100-a-night beachfront villa.
They booked into the super expensive El Tamarindo Beach and Golf Resort, set in a nature reserve on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, on Friday.
Elegant: Carla Bruni glitters in a diamond necklace and earrings at the dinner in Mexico
It is owned by a multi-millionaire friend of Calderon, who is said to have allowed the couple full use of the ‘Presidential Villa’.
The vast holiday home came complete with private pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and the service of a butler, personal cook and maid.
It is currently high season at the resort, with the villa costing $3,500 plus 17 per cent taxes and obligatory 10 per cent service charges - making a total of just over £3,100.
More than 15 per cent of the French workforce is currently on a national minimum wage of £8-an-hour, with the unemployment rate spiralling towards the two million mark.
Those that still have a job face increased taxes and a burgeoning cost of living.
The Sarkozys share a smile at the dinner
One newspaper reader posted a reaction to the break saying: ‘Sarko and Carla are back acting like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette again. They have no appreciation of what ordinary people are going through.’
‘The sheep work hard for our president,’ said one caller to a French radio station, with a presenter stating that: ‘With the explosion in unemployment, it is clear that the press will start calling Mr Sarkozy “President Bling Bling” again.’
Mr Sarkozy has struggled to play down his nickname after being pictured in his swimming trunks next to a bikini clad Carla in an upmarket Egyptian beach resort last year.
The French government said the millionaires' resort, above, was used by the Sarkozys' because of security reasons
Mr Sarkozy, 54, was also infamous for wearing solid gold necklace and wrist chains and a Rolex Oyster watch, together with Ray Ban designer sunglasses.
Miss Bruni, 41, who comes from a hugely wealthy family of Italian industrialists, was also known for her expensive tastes.
After their marriage at the Elysee Place in February 2008, the couple appeared to be trying to tone down their vulgar image.
But in late February they took 19 bodyguards with them for a skiing break at the Fermes de Marie Hotel, in the upmarket French resort of Megève, where suites costs £900 a night.
Confirming the second luxury break inside a month, a French consular official said: ‘They were on a private visit to the resort, relaxing before an official visit.’
The French president and his wife have booked into the expensive El Tamarindo Beach and Golf Resort, above
Mr Sarkozy and his wife flew into the country on Friday, leaving plenty of time for their beach weekend, where they were given round-the-clock protection by the Mexican army.
Two naval vessels carried out patrols in the sea, while helicopters flew overhead.
They joined President Calderon for lunch on Sunday and then visited the Teotihuacan pyramids on the outskirts of Mexican City.
The global economic crisis is set to be high on the agenda of two days of official talks involving Mr Sarkozy which begin today.
French government sources said later that the use of the millionaires’ resort in Mexico was ‘appropriate because of security reasons'.
It is set in its own grounds, with its own team of guards. With security, the estimated cost of the couple’s beach break was £45,000.
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