« Privacy and France's First Lady: A very private matter »

It's the great untold story of French politics: the state of the Sarkozys' marriage. But with the new President about to assume office, the official line - that it is none of the public's business - is starting to wear a bit thin. John Lichfield reports

What a wonderful story. In his moment of triumph, the president-elect of France is publicly reconciled with his wife before a crowd of 30,000 people. Another 20 million are watching live on television.

After disappearing for long periods during her husband's triumphant campaign - after failing to vote alongside him earlier in the day; after insistent rumours that the couple had split for a second time - Cécilia Sarkozy abruptly appeared with Nicolas before a cheering crowd in the Place de la Concorde late on election night.

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2533996.ece