Sarkozy faces French public on national TV amid scandal linked to heiress, shriveling support
By APMonday, July 12, 2010
Sarkozy faces French amid scandal tied to heiress
PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy is going on national television amid a scandal involving the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune that has rocked his government.
The affair has helped diminish Sarkozy’s already low popularity, with barely a quarter of the population approving of his governance.
The multi-faceted scandal includes accusations by a former accountant for L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt that she gave cash illegally to Sarkozy’s presidential election campaign.
Sarkozy has denied the claims, which have not been proven. He is expected to address them on France-2 television Monday evening.
The treasurer of Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party, Eric Woerth, said Monday he would consider resigning from his job amid the scandal. He is also labor minister.
