Sarkozy son withdraws from job bid
Nicolas Sarkozy's son withdraws from high-profile job bid after nepotism claims
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By Michael Younger. |  |
Friday, 23, Oct 2009 02:34
The French president's son, Jean Sarkozy, 23, has withdrawn from a bid to head the public agency that oversees Europe's largest business district.
A bitter row over nepotism erupted in France after speculation over whether Jean would take on the role, previously held by his father Nicolas.
Speaking on French TV, Jean, who has not yet finished his undergraduate studies, said he would still be taking a place on the board of Epad, which runs La Defense business district in Paris. But he decided not to go into the running to become chairman of the public management body of La Defense, saying he did not want a victory to be "stained by doubt".
However, he said he was still interested in being in the political field like his father, saying: "I have a vocation for politics, a passion for politics."
Nicknamed Prince Jean, the president's son is currently a councillor for Neuilly, a wealthy district of Paris, and also heads the right-wing majority regional council of Hauts-de-Seine.
Thousands joined an online petition to call for his withdrawal from the candidacy, citing nepotism and his young age as arguments against him.