Sarkozy quashes comeback talk as he joins lucrative lecture circuit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President, appeared to quash speculation that he might return to politics when he gave his first speech on the lucrative global lecture circuit for ex-statesmen in New York on Thursday night.
Sporting a three-day growth of beard, Mr Sarkozy said that the five months since he lost the presidential election was the "longest holiday of my life but the problem is that I am very happy with that".
"I am looking for a new life but not just to give lectures," he told 340 guests of the Brazilian bank PTG Pactual at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. "What I enjoy is not politics but getting things done, whether politically or in other ways."
Though leaving the door open to a comeback, his comments appeared designed to douse speculation in France that he regretted his decision to end his career in electoral politics.
Mr Sarkozy said that, despite the recurrent crises in the eurozone, the single currency would survive. "Germany and France have no other choice but to come together," he said. "Otherwise, they will be in conflict … That's why the European idea, despite all its mistakes and failures, remains unavoidable."
According to leaks to the French press, Mr Sarkozy was paid $100,000 (£62,000) for his 40-minute lecture.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments