FRANCE: President and presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy makes his first campaign outing in eastern France since launching his re-election bid

Record ID: 346490

  • Title: FRANCE: President and presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy makes his first campaign outing in eastern France since launching his re-election bid
  • Date: 17th February 2012
  • Summary: ANNECY, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 16, 2012) (REUTERS) TOWN OF ANNECY WITH RIVER PEOPLE GATHERED IN STREET MEDIA WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF FRENCH PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NICOLAS SARKOZY SUPPORTERS WAITING FOR SARKOZY SARKOZY ARRIVING AND SHAKING HANDS MEDIA AROUND SARKOZY IN ANNECY STREET SARKOZY ENTERING TEA SHOP VARIOUS OF SARKOZY IN TEA SHOP TALKING WITH SHOP OWNER (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYING: "If it makes him (Francois Hollande) feel better to say bad things about me then I'm happy about it because it's a relief for him and he certainly needs it. But it would be more interesting for the French to hear his ideas, his propositions because, to be honest, that's what is important, and then the French will choose calmly. We don't have the choice anyway." BODYGUARDS TALKING TO EACH OTHER (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYING: Journalist: "What are your first impressions?" Sarkozy: "They are good, it's a region that I like a lot, it is a town where I have many friends and I was given a wonderful welcome, exactly what I wished for, with direct contact, no protocol where people can say what they want to say, I was able to talk with them despite the crowd which makes it more difficult but that's not a problem." SARKOZY EXITING SHOP CAMERAMAN AT WORK VARIOUS OF SARKOZY POSING FOR MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ZV507EQ9LIYUSBD4T3FY2AVZ
  • Story Text: French President Nicolas Sarkozy made his first public appearance as candidate for the presidential elections, as he started his campaign trail on Thursday (February 16) in eastern France.
    For his first outing, Nicolas Sarkozy chose the town of Annecy in the French Alps, paying a visit to small businesses and shops in the town centre flanked by tight security and a large crowd of cameramen and photographers.
    Sarkozy announced on live television on Wednesday (February 15) his bid to run for a second term in at the presidential election to take place in April and May 2012.
    Sarkozy aides have warned that the campaign would be an intense one with events planned every day until a first round in two months time.
    Socialist candidate Francois Hollande told a party rally on Wednesday, Sarkozy should have presented excuses rather than his candidacy to the French.
    But Sarkozy said Hollande should concentrate on his programme than make personal comments.
    "If it makes him feel better to say bad things about me then I'm happy about it because it's a relief for him and he certainly needs it. But it would be more interesting for the French to hear his ideas, his propositions because, to be honest, that's what is important, and then the French will choose serenely. We don't have the choice anyway," he said during his visit.
    Sarkozy was met by hordes of journalists but also local well-wishers.
    "I was given a wonderful welcome, exactly what I wished for, with direct contact, no protocol where people can say what they want to say, I was able to talk with them despite the crowd," he told reporters.
    Polls have put Hollande 5-8 percentage points ahead of Sarkozy in the April 22 first round, with far-right and centrist candidates some way behind, and given the Socialist a lead of around 15 points for a May 6 runoff.
    Sarkozy was later due to hold his first campaign meeting in Annecy.
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