First lady competition in France

An ongoing competition between first lady nominees is raging in France as François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy battle for the French presidency. As people wonder whether or not Carla Bruni will retain the title of first lady, surveys show Hollande’s partner, Valerie Trierweiler, has more chance of entering the Elysee Palace.

The two women have had significant roles during the heated race, with many in the media frequently chasing after them.

Arguments favoring one over the other have been a popular source of debate in the country.

Carla Bruni, 44, is the third wife of Sarkozy and the mother of his fourth child; she is also known to have had relationships with famous figures as Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Donald Trump.

Sarkozy’s previous marriage ended in 2007 after he won the presidential election. Sarkozy then married Bruni in 2008.

A supermodel, singer and songwriter, Bruni has taken a break from her career to care for her newborn baby.

Trierweiler, 47, is a mother of three and was also previously married before starting a relationship with Hollande.

Despite standing by his ex-partner, Segolene Royal, as she fought against Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential race, Hollande has been with Trierweiler since 2005.

Trierweiler is a political journalist for Paris Match magazine and a television presenter. Unlike Bruni, whose parents are wealthy Italian industrialists, Trierweiler’s parents are both disabled and worked at a ticket office.

Polls have been favoring Hollande and Trierwailer as the couple to land in the Elysee Palace.